The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves owns and manages the preserve and was dedicated June 24, 1979.[2] The reserve is an undeveloped riverine island and is known for its extensive variety of waterbirds.[2] Even though the preserve has a variety of birds, not many people visit the island as the only access is by boat. The island received its name Six Mile Island for its distance from the Falls of the Ohio much like Fourteen Mile Creek and Twelve Mile Island also located along the Ohio river.
