The dam was built in 1967 to create an irrigation water reservoir. The Scoggins Dam, which was built in 1972 forming Hagg Lake, now releases water throughout the summer, significantly reducing the need for the dam. The dam is impassable during low summer river levels.
The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife has identified the dam as a high priority fish passage barrier (#29 out of 605). The dam does not have a fish ladder.
