Formed by a glacier, it is located in the high Cascade Range in the Deschutes National Forest.

The name is from the Chinook Jargon and means variously bad or worthless, or simply "in vain".

The lake itself is natural and is 211 feet (64 m) at its deepest point and about 2 miles (3.2 km) long.

The largest is Winopee Creek, which enters through the marsh on the northwestern side,[1] a popular fly fishing spot.

[4] The lake empties to the east via Cultus Creek, which flows into Crane Prairie Reservoir.