[2] The area's traditional owners are the Noongar peoples in the Gnaala Karla Booja region (the Pindjarup, Wiilman and Ganeang dialectical groups).

[6] The lake is part of a chain of wetlands situated along major ancient drainage lines in the area that run from Dumbleyung in the north to south of Wagin.

Wait-Jen means emu’s foot print in the local Noongar language; the trail follows an ancient dreamtime track taken by the Wagyl.

[11][12] Around the fringes of the lake there is a narrow belt of vegetation, composed mostly of an Eucalyptus loxophleba overstorey with an understorey of Acacia acuminata on the eastern side.

[1] Eighteen species of waterbird have been recorded around the lake,[13][14] including the salt tolerant Australian shelduck and the banded stilt, which were both numerous.