It flows west from an unnamed lake in Kenora District, Ontario, and discharges its waters into Lake Winnipeg near the community and First Nation of Berens River, Manitoba.

[1] The river has been a First Nations traditional hunting and fishing area for thousands of years.

[3] The river was named for Joseph Berens, then governor or the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC).

[3] The river system became an HBC trade route between the Berens River Post at Lake Winnipeg and Little Grand Rapids (about 140 kilometres (90 mi) upstream) and even further inland.

[5] The Ontario Government announced funding in 2009 for "…design, surveying, environmental assessments and other steps required before construction can begin" for a permanent bridge on the existing winter road between the all-weather road connecting to Ontario Highway 125 to the south and the Deer Lake First Nation, North Spirit Lake First Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation to the north.