Originally termed the Trilby Wash Detention Basin Dam, McMicken Dam, located off the eastern flank of the White Tanks Mountains, was constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1954 and 1955 to provide emergency flood protection for Luke Air Force Base, the Litchfield Park Naval Air Facility, and adjacent areas. The dam, operated and maintained by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County, is under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Water Resources and is classified as a high hazard/intermediate dam.

Due to severe embankment cracking resulting from desiccation and differential settlement, extensive repairs to McMicken Dam were completed in the mid-1980s. During these repairs, studies detected the presence of earth fissures. Additional studies were conducted to further characterize fissuring in the vicinity of the embankment. The results of these additional studies indicated the presence of earth fissures and/or horizontal strain conditions sufficient for fissure development adjacent to the dam.

EPG was retained by the District to participate with the project team in the planning and design of the physical appearance of all components of the project, including the development of design concept alternatives and their location, layout, and alignment; grading design, materials selection, and landscape planting; and coordination throughout the project to ensure the integration of aesthetic features and treatments. The requirements for the Maricopa Regional Trail were also incorporated into the project as an integral part of its planning and design. The final design included removal of a portion of the existing dam and the construction of the dam extension, detention basin, diversion channel, conveyance channel, and drop structures. EPG also assisted in construction administration of the project.