The Yakima River remains broad and gentle through this canyon in spite of its steep and dramatic walls. The arid landscape is full of beauty year-round. The river, controlled by reservoirs, is generally kept full in the spring and summer, but drops precipitously in the fall, giving the run an entirely different character in autumn and winter. Bighorn sheep are frequently seen overlooking the river, as are bald eagles in the winter months. Winds are often high and heat intense in the spring and summer.