The lake was constructed in 1963 by the
USDA Soil Conservation Service for
flood control and a
municipal water supply for Sallisaw. The total
drainage area above the lake is . Water is pumped to the Sallisaw
water treatment facilities via a 16-inch
transmission line approximately in length. The lake covers with a volume of . The shoreline is long. The lake elevation is . The City of Sallisaw completed a new water treatment plant in 2007, and retired two older, smaller plants. The new system is rated for a capacity of per day. The project also including a new intake structure and pumping station. ==Park amenities==