Much of the lakeside vegetation was initially replaced by crops. The area was later converted into gardens planted with trees, many of which are still there. Substantial areas of well-structured natural lakeside vegetation can only be seen in some sectors, whilst in other areas it is found in small, isolated patches. The fauna here consists of species that tolerate human presence or which have been introduced. This is especially evident in the case of the fish in the lake.
Although the area has traditionally been popular as a recreation zone, the holding of the rowing and canoeing competitions for the 1992 Olympic Games, centred in Barcelona, was an important step towards its redevelopment. Apart from promotion of the area, advantage was taken of the event in order to regulate the activities in the zone, such as boat-rides, picnics, fishing, swimming and other sports, and also to initiate plans for its ecological recuperation. This involves regeneration of the wetland vegetation and restoration of the delapidated areas.