Nature

Waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and pinyon-juniper woodlands await the nature-seeker at Harvey Gap State Park.

Plants

The hills surrounding Harvey Gap are covered by pinyon-juniper woodlands. Common plants include Utah juniper, pinyon pine, four-wing saltbush, shadscale, big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, golden aster, king spike-fescue, Indian ricegrass, and western wheatgrass.

The flats support a sagebrush community dominated by big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, four-wing saltbush, wild buckwheat, milkvetch, western wheatgrass, squirreltail, and peppergrass. Previously disturbed sites were reclaimed with crested wheatgrass and sweetclover. Diverse wetland plant communities have become established around the reservoir and below the dam.

Wildlife

There are many migratory and resident birds here, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors attracted to the reservoir.

Mule deer are common, as are cottontail rabbits, coyotes, raccoons, chipmunks, and golden-mantled ground squirrels. Many anglers come to fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, crappie, bluegill, perch, catfish, and northern pike.