Maranacook Lake serves as the secondary drinking water supply for Winthrop, Maine.

The area around Maranacook Lake that is not developed is mainly forest and fairly level ground used for agriculture.

Dead Stream is the main outlet from Torsey Pond to Maranacook Lake's west.

A popular and historic recreation area and tourist attraction, Maranacook is heavily developed with many summer homes, rental cabins, and year-round residences.

The North Basin in Readfield is roughly 700 acres (280 ha) and shallow, with a homothermous quality.