The wildlife management area centers along the Muskegon River about 2 miles (3.2 km) from its source at Houghton Lake.

[1][3] The wildlife management area owes its creation to the Reedsburg Dam, which was constructed in 1940 along the Muskegon River to alleviate flooding from Houghton Lake.

Common fish within the waters include pumpkinseed, bluegill, small and largemouth bass, native crayfish,[6] northern pike, yellow perch, and bowfin.

[7] The Dead Stream Flooding is mostly shallow and contains numerous underwater obstacles that make larger motorized vessels discouraged.

During the project, portions of the wetlands of the Dead Stream Flooding State Wildlife Management Area were temporarily dried up; most of the lower water levels took place near the dam and not further upstream along the Muskegon River.