The dam supplies about 80 percent of the potable water for the entire city of Accra and its surrounding environs.

[1][2][3] Its construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1978 by Messrs Tahi, an Italian Company.

[4] In June 2014, there was spillage from the dam that caused flooding in the area of Glefe.

Victims claimed that the flooding was as a result of the Bortianor Traditional Council refusal to dredge the river that flowed into the sea until the Homowo festival had ended.

[6] In March 2021 the gates were opened due to an abrupt rise of 1.9 feet of water over a 24 hour period.