Between this forest and the uplands are swamp hardwoods dominated by black ash with some yellow birch. Numerous springs and seeps along the base of the river terrace escarpment, which is forested with hardwoods and white cedar, feed Iron Creek. Tall shrub thickets are dominated by willow, alder, dogwood, and spirea. The adjacent sedge-grass meadow was used for mowing prior to state ownership. Iron Creek is a minnow stream, its waters turbid, acid, and infertile.
Soils are wet and alluvial along with peat and muck on the lowlands.
Common nesting birds include eastern wood pewee, veery, red-eyed vireo, ovenbird, mourning warbler, and pileated woodpecker. Land Control - DNR Forest Management. Manager - Superintendent, Governor Knowles State Forest, DNR Ranger Station, Box 367, Grantsburg, WI 54840. This site does not require community management. Site inspections and monitoring are conducted periodically.