The site, area 63 hectares (160 acres),[1] is owned and managed by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, and was declared a local nature reserve (LNR) in 1991.

There is a footpath around the lake; wildflower meadows and woodland plantations are linked to it by pathways, a cycleway and bridleway.

[1] Wildfowl and other species can be seen on the lake; in winter, wigeon, snipe, water rail and other rarer birds are there.

[1] The lake itself, also known as Sandwell Valley Storage Lake, was completed in 1981 as part of flood alleviation measures on the adjacent river; its capacity is 498,000 m3 (651,000 cu yd).

[3] As of 2020, the lake is being remodelled and its capacity increased as part of the "Perry Barr and Witton flood risk management scheme".