Forests become interspersed with juniper and mountain mahogany which give way to sage and rabbit brush eastward. But the lake is highly productive with large numbers of invertebrates and fish-eating birds. Volcanic ice caves on the west side of the Lake are home to blind cave crickets and other cave life, and the lake supports one of the largest breeding populations of western grebes in North America. There are several buildings, including cabins, dormitories, a dining hall, library, and a five-room laboratory as well as utility buildings. Some scientific equipment is available at the station but much more is available from the main campus and transported up as needed.
Several boats are available for both scientific and recreational use.
The station has no phone but a CB radio can be used for emergencies. Groups of up to 35 can be accommodated comfortably, and the usage fee includes use of all facilities, equipment, and supplies. Although there has been a lot of student research over the years, published data is scarce and baseline information is needed. This large mesotrophic lake juts into different geologic provinces offering exciting research potential in many areas of natural science, especially ecology. The variety of possible research is virtually limitless as exemplified by the projects that have already been carried out.