Most of the water is within Derbyshire but a small part of the southern shore is over the border in Leicestershire.

The reservoir was built in 1964 at the behest of the River Dove Water Board, meant to serve Leicester and the towns of northern Leicestershire.

Although no villages were lost in the construction of the reservoir, Furnace Farm, New England Farm and Calke Mill were submerged; their remains lie 25 metres below the surface.

Part of the shoreline border the Calke Abbey estate, as well as the National Forest.

Since July 2022, Severn Trent has been working with the National Trust to manage this site.