Located at an altitude of 2,080 metres, Aguelmame Sidi Ali has a surface area of approximately 500 hectares (1,200 acres) and a depth of 36 m (118 ft).

[5] It is located in a natural hollow in the basalt rock and is formed from two basins, separated by a basal ridge which is exposed when the water level falls.

The grazing of flocks of sheep and goats by nomadic herdsmen in the spring and summer has all but eliminated the aquatic vegetation at the edge of the lake.

A reduced number of water birds visit the lake in winter and the great crested grebe no longer breeds here.

[10] The northern pike (Esox lucius) and the zander (Sander lucioperca), are other non-native fish species also introduced in the lake.