The dam wall is high and long. At full capacity, the resultant reservoir can hold and convert a surface area of , draw from a
catchment area of . The
uncontrolled spillway had a capacity of . The much larger Darwin River Dam was commissioned in 1972, with Manton Dam retained for emergency supply. Since then,
PowerWater has maintained the dam and infrastructure in an inactive state. Although camping and swimming are not permitted, it is a popular venue for recreational water sports. The reservoir is divided into three distinct zones, allowing separation between high speed watercraft like
jet skis, an area for towing skiers and an area for kayaks, canoes, and sailing. The lake is also stocked with various fish species, with fishing permitted in all zones. In February 2014, an experimental
hydroelectric generator was installed by
PowerWater in partnership with
Charles Darwin University's Centre for Renewable Energy. With an output of approximately 4kW, the small generator is connected to the mains power grid to take advantage of seasonal releases and spillages during the wet season, and is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory. ==Future re-use==