It was planned as a multipurpose rockfill dam by the Hokkaido Ministry of Land, Transportation, Infrastructure Development.

[1][2] It was built upon the Ishikari River for the purpose of flood control and water basin for Asahikawa, Hokkaido, irrigation, and hydropower.

15 known as Typhoon Toyamaru (洞爺丸台風) caused damage to the trees in the Kamikawa Basin, as well as many roads in the surrounding area.

[1] A survey of the Ishikari River was conducted and in 1955 and construction of the dam began in 1965.

[4] The dam was completed in 1975 after 10 years of construction and has allowed for greater control of flooding and supplies up to 20,000 kW of hydropower.