The land within this watershed is predominantly agricultural and has experienced significant recent residential growth from the city of Huntsville.

The U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment Program is currently investigating water quality in the lower Tennessee River basin with several monitoring activities targeted in the Flint River Basin.

The Flint River rises on the southwestern fringe of the Cumberland Escarpment and primarily drains the plains that have been created by the erosion of this fringe of the Appalachians.

[4] Due to the sedimentary nature of this escarpment, which consists primarily of sandstone, star blue quartz can be found in small quantities in the stream bed because it easily survives weathering of its encasing stone.

The Hays Nature Preserve offers trails and greenways along the portion of the river running through Huntsville.