The dam's original purpose was primarily to store water for flood control, but also to serve recreation, fish and wildlife, and irrigation uses.

[3] A major flood killed approximately one quarter of Heppner's population in June 1903—about 250 people.

[7] A 1:36 model (one inch equals three feet) was built and studied to determine downstream flooding and pool siltation characteristics as affected by the dam's spillway.

The lake was drained and a $2 million remedial effort included injecting grout through bores drilled from top to bottom.

Within a few years of construction, problems were noted with stratification of the water and anoxic decomposition producing hydrogen sulfide.

Concerns were expressed that this could in turn give rise to sulfuric acid leading to concrete damage.