After sand was removed in the late 1970s, the formerly shallow lake had a maximum depth of 24 metres (79 ft).

The Kleines Meer is popular as a leisure and recreation spot, especially with dinghy sailors, surfers, anglers and weekenders.

Little holiday chalets, the so-called Meerbuden, have been built along the Emden, Hinte and Südbrookmerland shores.

Unlike the Großes Meer, motor boats are allowed on the shortest route on the Hieve, but may not exceed 5 km/h (3.1 mph) in order to protect the natural habitat and the banks of the lake shore.

There is a link to the rest of the East Frisian waterways network along its only outlet, the Kurze Tief; this flows into the Treckfahrtstief, which, in turn, links to the canal network of the town of Emden and eventually to the River Ems.