The entire wetland rests on a clay pan several feet thick. The original leatherleaf-bog community also had sedge and willow vegetation in small proportions, and very low abundance of cattail. The wetland provides additional treatment to the wastewater as it progresses eventually to the Muskegon River eight miles away. Small, natural water inflows occur intermittently on the north and east margins of the wetland. These flows are partially controlled by beaver.
Wastewater adds to the surface sheet flow.
Hydrogeological studies have shown that there is neither recharge or discharge of the shallow ground water under the wetland. The treated wastewater arriving at the peatland is a good effluent which contains virtually no heavy metals or refractory chemicals. This is due to the absence of agriculture and industry in the community. Phosphorus and nitrogen are present at 3-10 ppm, mostly as orthophosphate and ammonium. BOD is about 15 ppm, and solids are about 20 ppm.