It was created in 1974 by the construction of the Polyfyto Dam, which impounds the river Aliakmon, by the Public Power Corporation of Greece.

[1] The maximum accumulated volume is 1,220×10^6 m3 (4.3×1010 cu ft).

[1] The surface area of the lake is 74 km2 (29 sq mi),[2] and the elevation of the lake surface at maximum filling is 289 m (948 ft).

[1] The design capacity of the hydroelectric power station at the dam is 375 MW.

[3] The lake is located in the Kozani regional unit.