The biological reserve was created by decree in 1975 to support conservation of ecosystems, scientific research and environmental education.

[2] It covers part of one of the last wetland areas of Rio Grande do Sul and is important for several endangered species.

[2] In December 2003 the State Department of the Environment presented an environmental assessment and proposed limits for the reserve at a public hearing.

It takes up about 60% of the area of wetlands, with the remainder used for rice fields and flooded pastures.

The wetlands hold a mosaic of tall, dense herbaceous plant communities, in which sedge Scirpus giganteus predominates, along with other marsh plants such as Cyperus giganteus (Cyperaceae), Thalia geniculata (Marantaceae), Panicum grumosum and Panicum prionitis (Poaceae).