Since 1910, the District of Summerland has owned and operated the municipal water supply system that serves domestic and irrigation water users within the District. The system includes ten earth dams and one concrete arch dam. The dams are used to impound spring runoff water.
In 1997, the District retained a team including Associated Engineering to perform safety appraisals of the dams. This study included comprehensive site inspections and assessments, structural and seismic analysis of the concrete dam and spillway, flood hazard assessment, concrete materials assessment of the dam and spillway, assessment of the rock abutment stability, and cost estimates for proposed rehabilitations and upgrades.