The western tributaries of upper Thunder Creek watershed drain a hilly plateau called the Vermilion Hills.

In 1990, the Riverhurst Management Plan, which was developed by Ducks Unlimited through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, was initiated to stabilise water levels in the lakes and marshes by pumping in water from Lake Diefenbaker.

Birds found in the lakes and protected area include the western grebe, black-necked grebe, Franklin's gull, Forster's tern, marsh wren, sedge wren, common yellowthroat, LeConte's sparrow, and Nelson's sparrow.

[14] Some of the birds commonly found at the IBA include the American avocet, marbled godwit, Wilson's phalarope, grey plover, tundra swan, mallard duck, gadwall duck, western grebe, blue-winged teal, northern pintail, and the American white pelican.

[16] Besant Recreation Site is well treed and has about 100 campsites, sandhills, a spring-fed pond, a swimming area, and access to Sandy Creek.

[17] The most commonly found fish in the Thunder Creek river system is the northern pike.

Other species include the common carp, burbot, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye.