The surrounding upland was primarily oak savanna which provided habitat for elk, bison, and gray wolves. By the mid-twentieth century, several developments had severely reduced the value of wildlife habitat in the basin.
The highland area's natural surroundings were predominantly oak savanna, which offered a home for various wildlife species such as elk, bison, and gray wolves. Nonetheless, by the mid-twentieth century, numerous developments had significantly reduced the importance of wildlife habitats in the basin.