Shuswap Lake is located in the Thompson Okanagan area central British Columbia Canada. The Shuswap Lake consists of four arms forming a shape similar to a slightly mishaped letter H. The four arms are called Salmon Arm (southwest), Anstey Arm (northeast), Seymour Arm (north), and the main lake or Shuswap (west). Shuswap Lake drains through Little Shuwap River into the Little Shuswap Lake which in turn drains into the Thompson River. It is fed by the Adams River, Shuswap River via Mara Lake and the Sicamous Channel, Scotch Creek, Anstey River, Ross Creek, Eagle River, Salmon River, Seymour River, Chase Creek and others.

Mara Lake is also considered to be part of the Shuswap Lake System as all arms of the Shuswap and Mara Lake act as one unit in regards to water level.