[1] The lake is sandwiched between the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.

The lake falls under the political jurisdiction of the municipalities of Buluan and Mangudadatu of Maguindanao and President Quirino and Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat.

The lake consists of adjoining marshy basins of the Pulangi, Maanoy, Buluan, and Alah rivers, which are all tributaries of the Mindanao River.

This lake was formerly surrounded by the Sultanate of Buayan before the American era.

The following species of fish are found in the lake:[3] Mining operations in the nearby provinces of South Cotabato and Davao del Sur as well as Sultan Kudarat pose a threat to the lake habitat.