The dam is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Ipswich in the Somerset Region and forms the upper reservoir for the Wivenhoe Power Station.

Construction commenced in 1977 and was completed in 1980 by contractors Thiess Brothers and John Holland.

[3] The dam's water capacity is enough for the power station to run at full load for approximately ten hours.

The pumped storage power station consists of two circular concrete silos, each of about 32 metres (105 ft) internal diameter.

[3] Public access including swimming is banned from the dam due to strong currents and submerged hazards.