It is situated on the west side of the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado and includes the entire watershed of main Saint Louis Creek, a tributary of the Fraser River.

In the forested areas below the timberline, Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) are the predominant trees, at higher elevations, on north slopes, and along streams.

[1] Most early research was oriented toward timber or water cycle and production resulting from forest management.

For this research, many long-term study plots were established in both lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce, and 7 watersheds were monitored for streamflow, climate and snow.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Forest Service.