[1][2] The lake, also termed the Karbala Gap,[3] covers an area of 156,234 hectares (386,060 acres) enclosed by deserts with a few low hills on the shoreline.

[1] The geological formations in and around the lake consist of marl, siltstone, gypsum and anhydrite, and limestone bands, but mostly silt.

[4] The lake was constructed during the latter half of the 1970s, downstream of the Hawr al Habbaniyah as a flood control measure to regulate the floodwaters of the Euphrates River.

[5] The flow from the escape is diverted through the Sin al Thibban canal, which is a narrow channel that is aligned through a semi-desert area.

[2] The vegetation around the periphery of the lake consists of Aeluropus lagopoides, Juncus acutus, Phragmites australis, Salicornia herbacea, and Schoenoplectus litoralis.

[7] Mammal species reported include the Rüppell's fox, golden jackal, Indian grey mongoose, jungle cat and European wildcat.