A mostly freshwater marsh in an alluvial basin of the Mafragh plain, with a brackish downstream part where it meets the Mediterranean Sea through a narrow opening. The basin is from 50 centimetres to one metre deep, and emergent vegetation consisting of Phragmites communis, Typha angustifolia and Glyceria fluitans covers more than 80% of its surface. The area is important as a nesting and wintering site for ducks and coots; it serves as a nesting site for the endangered white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala and the ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca. Four species are considered to surpass the 1% threshold: Oxyura leucocephala, the greylag goose Anser anser, the Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope, and the gadwall Anas strepera.  In summer, cattle pass through the marsh; some of its banks are used for agriculture, and the Site is used for traditional fishing of eel and other fish. Overgrazing is seen as a potential threat, especially in times of drought.