[3] Prior to European colonization of the area, the land underneath the reservoir was important to the local Native Americans.

Of the known Native American sites in Union Township, the majority were found on land inundated by the reservoir.

The reservoir can store up to 11 billion gallons of water (42,000,000 cubic metres (1.5×109 cu ft)) at full capacity.

[5] Water levels at the reservoir fluctuate greatly throughout the year, which has led to decreased vegetation in the photic zone.

Fishing, hunting, camping, swimming, picnicking, and walking are all popular activities at the park.

The club runs organized sailboat racing on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings in the spring, summer, and fall.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife supplies annually trout hatchlings to the lake and its tributaries.

Since alewife inhabit open water in search of plankton, they escape predation of traditional gamefish such as largemouth bass.

The state began stocking hybrid striped bass to the reservoir to increase the quality of fishing in the lake.

The reservoir allows boats access at all hours as long as the lake remains ice free.

Night fishing is very popular during summer months for anglers targeting hybrid striped bass and catfish.

Popular species for ice fishing include yellow perch, northern pike, and crappie.

Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the park with firearms as long as the hunter is below the high waterline.