Spring is very windy with gusts over 50 mph. This can cause severe bank erosion if vegetation isn't established. Net evaporation can exceed 12 inches per month in May and June. Summer is characterized by the onset of a monsoon type pattern with frequent showers and high night time temperatures. Fall is ushered in as the rainfall diminishes and nights get colder.
Winter is marked by colder temperatures and the wetlands freeze over.
Ice may occur 1 to 2 months of winter. The soils of this area are heavy clays with low water permeability. The natural vegetation is typical pinyon-juniper woodland. This is a very common vegetation type in this area. The topography is flat to moderately sloping with some natural basins which form Pintail and Telephone Lakes.