Shiata lake is the first water hole on the old route to Libya. 20 years ago, men used to pack up their donkeys with dates and olive oil and leave the village of Bah El Din for a days trekking to Shiata. On the northern side of the lake, they used to dig down half a meter until they would reach water. There was an old stone water troff here but difficult to find now as no one uses it any more, as the only people who us this route to Libya are smugglers and they take nice new jeeps now and not donkeys.