[2] The lake is situated in schist basement and filled only by rainwater and dries up during periods of warm weather and little rain,[5] in up to annual cycles.

[1]: 7  The salinity is due to marine aerosols in rainwater which has been concentrated by around 20000 evaporation and refilling cycles.

[4] Sutton Salt Lake is also unique in that it lies in a region of windy cool-temperate maritime climate.

[1]: 1  Coastal hills create a minor barrier to the rain, halving the amount of rainfall that the lake receives.

[1]: 16  Since 1984 exotic weeds have displaced the native salt-tolerant herb Selliera radicans invading the lower saline margins around the lake.