Understanding the changes over its development, degradation and incomplete restoration provides lessons for managing the restoration of old and newly abandoned peatland systems. Following drainage in 1942, the peat surface subsided an average of 0.56 .15 m as a consequence of overburden pressure no longer providing buoyancy to the peat, and from oxidation. Consequently water table rises are rapid, and drainage is primarily by surface flow through the partly collapsed ditch network. Runoff ratios outside the snowmelt period range from 0.16 to 0.35, but during this period evaporation exceeds precipitation, and is 5 to 10 times greater than runoff. However, the accumulation of a litter, primarily of ericaceae leaves, notably reduced evaporation losses from bare peat surfaces.
Water collects preferentially in the basins, notably along the lateral ditches.