The lake lies at 724 m (2,375 ft) above mean sea level, being one of the highest lakes of the Southern Urals. It is located about 5 km (3.1 mi) to the south of the small mountain range named after it. Its southern shore stretches at the feet of the northern slopes of the larger Nurgush range.[5] Previously, in its natural state, the lake was smaller and surrounded by swamps. After WWII a dam was built and the new reservoir doubled the surface area of the ancient lake.[6]
The water of Zyuratkul is not as clear as is normal in high-altitude lakes. The reason is that the inflowing watercourses originate in swamps. The Bolshaya Satka, a left hand tributary of the Ay, is the outflow of the lake.[2]
