Mixed forest tops the gorge walls for the length of the park.
One-fifth of the land is used for the Mt. Morris Flood Control Dam System. Most of the area is managed in ways that are beneficial to birds. There is potential for negative impacts to bird populations through the development of changes in the Mt. Morris Federal Flood Control Dam. Non-point source agricultural runoff upstream from the park causes pollution of aquatic systems and should be monitored. Succession of grasslands to shrublands should be managed to maintain habitat for Grasshopper Sparrows, Henslow's Sparrows and other grassland species.