the earthen rockfill dam was constructed between 1977 and 1979 by the united states bureau of reclamation with a height of 143 feet and 2900 feet long at its crest. it impounds east fork of smiths fork for flood control and irrigation storage, part of the lyman project, along with the nearby meeks cabin dam. the dam is owned by the bureau and is operated by the local bridger valley water conservancy district.