It is a reservoir, contained behind the Cluanie Dam, constructed by Mitchell Construction and completed in 1957 as part of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's Glenmoriston project to generate hydroelectricity.

It has a car park, the Cluanie Inn and two houses which are used as "holiday homes" by their owners.

The dwelling has been extensively renovated over the last 5 years prior to it becoming the owners main residence.

The richly vegetated areas at the side of the loch are home to small birds such as the willow warbler and the wren.

On 31 August 2021, the Scotland Charity Air Ambulance landed at Loch Cluanie to the west of Cluanie Dam, to assist with a male who had fallen on rocks and sustained head and back injuries.