Much of this relatively flat area of calcareous glacial lake plain is wetland, largely dominated by northern white-cedar. Broadly diverse lacustrine features are present, supporting vegetation characteristic of the northern Great Lakes shoreline. Growing season ranges from 130 days near the inland edge to 140 days along much of the Lake Huron and Michigan shorelines. Average annual precipitation is 28 to 30 inches, and average snowfall is 80 inches along the entire length of the sub-subsection.
Glacial drift is discontinuous near the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Limestone, dolomite, and gypsum are locally exposed and mined. Similar to other sand lake plains in the State, much of the topography is a series of beach ridges and adjacent wet depressions, extending locally several miles inland. These dune and swale complexes are well developed in Sturgeon Bay of Lake Michigan and east of Cheboygan and along Hammond Bay of Lake Huron. Near the present lake shore, the depressions are typically poorly drained and sometimes ponded. Sand dunes, low foredunes, sand spits, and beach ridges line much of the shoreline.