[11] Large masses of ice were left in their wake, and as they melted, lake basins were formed.

[8] Sunlight does not penetrate deep into the lake due to a high amount of dissolved organic matter.

[15] Toolik Lake is home to an active zooplankton community, primarily consisting of nanoflagellates, ciliates, rotifers, and copepods.

Toolik experiences the midnight sun from June to August, while experiencing 24-hour darkness in December and January.

[21] Lightning strikes have become much more prevalent in northern Alaska since studies began, possibly linked with rising atmospheric temperatures.

In 2007, Alaska's largest recorded tundra fire was started by a lightning strike, occurring only 20 miles from Toolik.

[22] The station is supported by modern amenities, including generator produced electricity, running water and shower facilities, a sauna, a kitchen and dining facility, dormitory-style housing, heated garages, and full-service wet and dry chemistry labs.

[25] The initial research focused on the trophic levels, biogeochemistry, and nutrient cycling of the lake.

The scope of research broadened to include the growth rates and nutrient limitation of tundra vegetation.

[4] In the late 1980s, Toolik was studied as part of the Response, Resistance, Resilience, and Recovery from Disturbance (R4D) project supported by the United States Department of Energy and National Academy of Sciences.

[7] Through grants from the Department of Energy, Alaska State Legislature, and the National Science Foundation, the station has been upgraded considerably since its inception.