[3] Fed by runoff from a basin of about 34 square miles (88 km2),[3] it lies east of U.S. Route 101 in Douglas County between Florence and Reedsport.

The creek passes under Route 101 into the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area west of the lake and meanders less than a mile into the Pacific.

[5] A low dam at the west end of the lake was originally built to maintain a dependable supply of fresh water for a pulp mill in Gardiner.

[3] Most of the lake's basin consists of forest land dominated by Douglas fir, spruce, alder, and a variety of shrubs.

The weed, which has formed a dense mat over most of the lake bottom, hampers swimming, boating, and fishing.