 Since the Ausable River only partially drains the swamp on an ongoing basis, Hay Swamp acts as a natural water 'storage basin', guarding against large-scale flooding in other areas downstream and helping to maintain and moderate baseflow conditions during the summer months.By doing so it improves both the overall water quality in the Ausable system and aids local fish, bird and wildlife populations during the times of the year when water sources that are available for local wildlife are at a premium.The swamp contains several sites of abandoned 19th and early 20th century farms, including the location of the former community of Sodom.