It is in the Apokoronas municipality of Chania regional unit close to the border with Rethymno regional unit, 47 km from the town of Chania.

Kournas is a fairly large village perched on a hill overlooking the lake.

There is a nature preserve on the Southwest side of the lake.

The lake used to be called Koresia after ancient Korion, a city thought to be in the area with a temple to Athena.

[citation needed] Tavernas and pedalo rental shops line part of the shore.