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The lake is an artificial reservoir, about 3km long, formed in the late 18th century to supply water to the Caldon Canal. It was supplied principally from the River Dane via a weir at SJ9564 and a feeder canal. The feeder is now disused (usage of the canal being much lower than when it was a commercial waterway), and the reservoir is fed by a few natural streams.

The reservoir is now managed by the Canal and River Trust,and is also a major boating lake with many private or club boathouses along its shores. There are visitor centres provided by the Rudyard Lake Trust, and a narrow gauge railway on the east bank, running for 2km along the route of the former North Staffordshire Railway.

See Link for a fuller history of the lake and village.

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