Construction work on the dam began in 1929. Many residents in the area found a way of securing a good additional income on the construction site. Up to 200 workers were employed there on some days. No settlements had to give way to the dam; only a few streets were relocated. The main access road from Bütgenbach to Berg was redirected and the path that led directly from the train station over the lake area to Berg was replaced by a new road that led over the dam.
The dam was completed in 1932 and the power station started operating just one year later. Annual electricity generation is around 2 million kW/h. In 1995, extensive repair and improvement work was carried out on the dam. Since then, driving over the dam has been closed off to motor vehicles. Further repair work at the foot of the dam led to the lake being completely emptied in 2004.
In the 1960s, the reservoir and its banks were also used for tourism. In 1968, the Belgian state decided to build an ADEPS sports centre by the lake in Bütgenbach. By the beginning of the 1980s, the sports and leisure centre complex in Worriken was built in several construction phases. On the shore, the VENNtastic Beach impresses with a sandy beach, children's bay, inflatable water island, trampoline, beach volleyball field and water volleyball field. The leisure and sports centre programme is aimed at all ages. In the Worrie-Club, there are activities for children from the age of three. For older members, there are sailing and surfing camps, as well as multisport programmes. The tourist offer also includes a high ropes course, a zip line, archery and much more.
The lake of Bütgenbach is also the starting point for wonderful, well-used hiking trails: For example, you can walk around the lake in a 10-kilometre loop.
