The upper part is served by the forest road R0305 which passes on the south shore of Barley Lake for the needs of forestry.

The water level of the river varies with the seasons and the precipitation; the spring flood generally occurs in April.

The Barley River originates from Lake Wabano (length: 0.8 kilometres (0.50 mi); altitude: 861 metres (2,825 ft)) landlocked between mountains, located in a forest area in the unorganized territory of Lac-Pikauba in the zec des Martres.

This toponym evokes the life work of Pierre Berly, Amerindian of Abenaki origin who camped in the region.

[2] The toponym "Rivière Barley" was formalized on December 5, 1968, at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.