It is fed by underground springs and has a mineral content high in sodium, magnesium, and potassium salts[4] due to it being a terminal lake.

The salt content of the water (180 g/L)[3] gives it a salinity about half of that of the Dead Sea (300-400 ppt), allowing bathers to float easily.

[3] Since the turn of the 20th century and the depression of the 1930s, Manitou has been a tourist resort due to its unique mineral waters.

Manitou & District Regional Park (51°42′57″N 105°27′05″W / 51.7157°N 105.4514°W / 51.7157; -105.4514) is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north of Watrous on Highway 365.

The founding of the original provincial parks was a plan by the government to get people working during the Great Depression.