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. Utah juniper, pinyon pine, four-wing saltbush, shadscale, big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, golden aster, king spike-fescue, Indian ricegrass and western wheatgrass are common.
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. These include waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors attracted to the reservoir. See the Harvey Gap Bird Checklist.
Mule deer are common. So 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.
