[8] During the rain season in winter, the lake is filled by numerous wadi (periodically drying rivers), mostly from north and north-west.

[10] Others include Abiod, Beggour Mitta, Biskra, Bir Az Atrous, Cheria, Demmed, Dermoun, Derradj, Djedeida, Djemorah, Halail, Horchane, Ittel, Mechra, Melh, Mzi, Messad, Oum El Ksob, Soukies, Tadmit and Zeribet.

[13] Although the dry soil in and around the lake appears arable, it is nearly barren due to the high concentration of salt.

Some species are unique for Algeria and 14 are endemic, such as Fagonia microphylla, Oudneya africana, Zygophyllum cornutum, Limoniastrum feii and Ammosperma cinerea.

[2] They grown up to 30 cm in height and host relatively rich avifauna, mostly ducks, sandgrouse, houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) and greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus).

[8][15] Lake waters are saturated with salt with concentrations reaching 0.4 kg/L[2] and sustain only few animal species, such as brine shrimp.