Deer Creek Dam was a three-year project and a significant engineering accomplishment, with a center portion of 150,000 cubic yards of concrete and an earthen section of 1,250,000 cubic yards of compacted earth. The dam received the Army Chief of Engineers Design Award. Its nine gates regulate the amount of water in the lake, with inflow from the headwaters matched by water released at the spillway to maintain a constant lake level, while adjustments can lower or raise the water level. In spring, the gates are closed to raise the lake for summer recreational activities, and in fall they are opened to lower the level and create more space for flood water. The dam has a total length of 3,880 feet, including earth and concrete sections, with a concrete section 741 feet long, a height of 145 feet from base to top of pylon, and a concrete width of 26 feet at the top and 40 feet at the base. Its gates include three Tainter or Crest Gates 42 feet high and 32 feet wide, five Sluice Gates 5 3/4 feet high and 5 1/2 feet wide, and one Low Flow Sluice Gate 3 feet in diameter.