[1] It was established as an ecological reserve to preserve a southern interior saline lake, possessing unique limnological features in 1972.

[2] It has a unique layering, where the very bottom of the lake is very salt rich and contains hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which facilitates the growth of the purple sulphur bacteria in the layer above it, where the bacteria has just enough light to grow.

Mahoney Lake is alkaline because it features no inflow or outflow of water.

The lake also contains very low levels of oxygen and an approximate pH of 7.5-9.0.

This article about a location in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Canada is a stub.