The Red River flows through the WMA property and has been a high priority for restoration activities since 1997. The restoration target is spawning habitat for spring Chinook salmon as the watershed has an extremely high potential for salmon habitat within the South Fork Clearwater sub-basin. Federal, state, tribal, non-profit and private organizations have all contributed to restoring salmon spawning habitat in the Red River watershed. Today anglers will find easy access to a local cutthroat trout fishery on this picturesque, meandering stream.

The WMA also provides important calving habitat for elk, and fawning habitat for white-tailed deer. From late March to late May, 50 to 100 elk can be seen in the meadow. A variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, and northern goshawks frequent the meadow and river.

The previous owner of the property, then called Little Ponderosa Ranch, offered to sell the ranch to Fish and Game to protect the area's fish and wildlife resources. The purchase was made possible by grant donations from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and mitigation funds from Bonneville Power.