It is the widest lake in the Mount Tamalpais watershed, and on Lagunitas Creek.

Built in 1948 (77 years ago) (1948), with the construction of the earthen Bon Tempe Dam, the lake's name is an Americanization of the Bautunpi family name.

The Bautunpi brothers ran a ranch and dairy that was removed with the creation of Bon Tempe and Alpine reservoirs.

Rainbow trout and both largemouth and smallmouth bass are caught in the lake.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment released a warning regarding eating fish caught from this lake based on the elevated mercury level.