The Site is a freshwater lake within the Rhine basin, surrounded by reedbeds, peatbogs and pastures, with small marshes and wet grasslands within seasonally flooded agricultural land. The Site boundary was delineated more accurately and adjusted to that of the Natura 2000 site in 2014, with some residential and recreation areas excluded. The Site supports vulnerable species of breeding bird such as the corn crake (Crex crex) and spotted crake (Porzana porzana) and is of international importance for ducks and geese during migration and wintering periods. It also supports more than 1% of the individuals of the northwestern Siberian / northwestern-northeastern European population of white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). The lake serves as a drain for the surrounding polders and provides water for irrigation. The main human uses include commercial fishing, boating, tourism and water management. Threats include unnatural water level management and eutrophication.