The reservoir opened in 1908, and is operated today by Hafren Dyfrdwy on behalf of Severn Trent. It is 8.6 hectares (21 acres) in area, of moderate alkalinity, humic and a shallow reservoir of a mean depth of 10 metres (33 ft). It is part of a system of several small reservoirs including the Cae Llwyd Reservoir and Pen-y-Cae Reservoirs. The water of the lake is sourced from the drainage basin of the Pentre-bychan Brook and the Cae Llwyd Reservoir located at a higher elevation to the west of the reservoir. The catchment area of the lake is 19 hectares (47 acres).[4] It holds the greatest continuous embankment length (600 metres (2,000 ft)) of any of the reservoirs operated by Severn Trent, and the embankment is made of a clay core. It can hold a capacity of 593,000 m3 (130 million imperial gallons).[5]
The reservoir supplies Wrexham, Chester and surrounding areas, with it notably popular as a venue for anglers.[6]