The lake is owned by the Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), who created the impoundment in 1962, by damming the South fork of the Saline River, to supply cooling water for a coal-burning electric power plant.

[2] As a privately owned lake, it is subject to regulation by its owners and the state.

Terms of use from the SIPC are in the "Official Lake of Egypt Rules and Regulations".

Camping at the lake is allowed at Buck Ridge Campground, part of the Shawnee National Forest.

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