Many streams form in the highland, flow 10 to 15 miles to Lake Superior, and cascade to the Lake below. Precipitation is slightly more than surrounding landscape areas, with the lake effect producing about 10 inches more snow than just five miles inland. The growing season lakeside is about 10 days longer than at the same latitude just six miles inland. Today forestry, tourism, and mining are the primary land uses. This tiny landscape area 400 feet above Lake Superior covers a boundary of the ancient Glacial Lake Superior and corresponds to a larger area in Wisconsin.
Bedrock is a mix of sedimentary rock, sandstone, and shale rich in copper.
The lake effect here produces up to 10 inches more snow than just five miles inland, and a growing season about 10 days longer. Today more yellow birch occurs here than in the rest of the state. Forestry and hunting-oriented recreation are the most important land uses, though significant portions are totally undeveloped. The outstanding trout population of the Nemadji River draws many fishing enthusiasts. Conservation efforts focus on timber harvesting and the maintenance of trout habitat.