The lake is fed by several waterways the main ones being the Pembina River and Badger Creek.

The total drainage area is 3,842 square kilometres (1,483 sq mi).

The lake has been a popular recreational area since the turn of the 20th century.

The lake area is popular for boating, fishing, a wide variety of water activities, cottagers and home owners.

A concrete stop log dam was built about a mile east of the lake on the Pembina River in 1940.