It is designed to protect the floodplain complexes of the Vyatka River, numerous lakes and coniferous-deciduous forests.

[1][2] The terrain of Nurgush is typical floodplain, occupying a broad meandering section of the Vyatka River.

Among the lowing rolling ridges are numerous ponds, vernal pools, oxbow lakes, and other forms of wetlands, and in the river sandbars, shoals, and small sandy islands.

The reserve is located entirely on the floodplain, so it does not pick cover then entire local ecosystem; the surrounding elevated terraces are mostly forested in pine or spruce, but with widespread patches of alder and birch in disturbed areas.

This climate is characterized by large swings in temperature, both diurnally and seasonally, with mild summers and cold, snowy winters.