Formerly a large, shallow lake drained for agricultural land and pasture. About 1,200ha are intensively farmed and protected from flooding by dikes and water pumping. Two lakes surrounded by Salix scrub and reedbeds remain. The site is internationally important for wintering and staging waterbirds, including Cygnus cygnus, C. columbianus bewickii, Anser brachyrhynchusand, A. anser and Anas acuta. The area is important botanically. Due to the implementation of a wetland restoration scheme, accomplished in 1993, and grassland management the ecological quality of the lake and adjacent waterlogged areas is currently improving. Human activities include hunting. Private access is limited.