Klyuchi, the district capital, lies 19 kilometers (12 mi) to the southwest.

In some parts of the lake there is viscous black mud with a hydrogen sulphide smell which is deemed to have medicinal properties.

The lake is shallow, with a maximum depth in the central area not exceeding 1.6 meters (5 ft 3 in).

The water is saline, with a high mineralization reaching 180 grams per liter (29 oz/imp gal).

The vegetation includes fescue, wormwood, milkvetch, feather grass, Limonium and saltwort.