The Nolan, north of the dam, is a narrow, tree-lined, slow-moving, rather shallow stream primarily flowing through private farm land, and is popular with anglers.

The stream contains significant fish populations and is home to the great blue heron and snowy egret.

The lower part of the Nolan River is popular for canoeing and kayaking and rapids in some areas create very fast-moving water for challenging recreational activities.

Four miles south of Rio Vista on Highway 174 is a marker erected to the memory of Philip Nolan (1771–1801).

This is on the Hill County side and a small cemetery is west-northwest in the timber, near the river.