The marginally arched dam can be found in the 360-metre (1,180 ft) high Wawa Gorge, the water distance in the mountains of Sierra Madre, eastern side of Manila. It was built in year 1909 during the US colonial period to supply the water demands of Metro Manila. It was once the merely water source for Manila till Angat Dam was constructed as well as Wawa was left behind.
Dinisenyo ito ng isang civil engineer na paring Espanyol na si Rev. Fr. Roque Ruano noong 1920 hanggang 1923. Ito ang pangunahing gusali at pinakamatandang unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Ito din ang unang resistant building na nilindol sa bansa. Ang disenyo nito ay naging pinong tono matapos yanigin at naranasan ang pinakamalakas na Lindol sa Tokyo at Yokohama noong taong Setyembre 1, 1923 .