The reservoir and dam were built as part of a project that had origins in the idea of supplying water to Belfast, in 1894. The Spelga Reservoir itself was developed between 1953 and 1957.

While the reservoir has not been stocked with fish for some years, it is home to wild trout. The Portadown and Banbridge areas receive their water supply from it. The Dam was designed by the Belfast engineering firm of R. Ferguson and S. McIlveen, and construction was undertaken by John Laing & Sons.

The photo opposite was of the current owners Grandad, Arthur Edgar (2nd from left in the back row) who was a foreman for a local Kilkeel Construction company.