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Craig Goch is one of series of reservoirs in Elan Valley created to supply water to the city of Birmingham between 1893 and 1904. The scheme is regarded as being amongst the greatest civic achievements of the late nineteenth century. The height of the reservoirs enabled water to reach the outskirts of Birmingham by gravity alone, without the expense of pumping (the top water level in the reservoir is 1,040 feet above sea level).

The Dam supports a viaduct on thirteen arches carrying roadway over the reservoir. The valve tower interior is said to contain original operating machinery. The dam and valve tower are jointly listed at Grade II* “as part of one of the greatest civil engineering projects of nineteenth century” (Cadw Record ID 16196 Link Historic Wales).