ðə lˈeɪk ɪz fˈɔːɹmd baɪ ɐ ɹˈɑːkfˈɪl dˈæm sˈʌmɚzvˌɪl dˈæm ɔnðə ɡˈɔːli ɹˈɪvɚ, sˈaʊθ ʌv sˈʌmɚzvˌɪl ɪn nˈɪkələs kˈaʊnti.
The lake is formed by a rock-fill dam (Summersville Dam) on the Gauley River, south of Summersville in Nicholas County.