The Red Rock Wildlife Management Area extends west from Red Rock Reservoir proper almost to Des Moines. These areas have been subject to some major flood events and roads/access is ever changing. The Swan area is just west of the Pinchey Bottoms area with lowland brush and vegetation as well as some wooded area along the old, now closed road along the bluff.

The entire area is important as a resting area for large concentrations of migrating waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds. The area is also critical as a wintering area for large numbers of Bald Eagles. Nesting birds include Bobolink, Cerulean Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Wood Thrush, and in some years Kentucky Warbler.

The Red Rock Dam is about five miles southwest of Pella; the refuge area extends northwest beyond Runnells in Polk County to near Hartford in Warren County.