The river rises in western Iron County near the summit of Johnson Mountain just north of Missouri Route 32 and approximately 3.5 miles southeast of the community of Enough.

About 83 miles (134 km) are navigable; however, the remains of five small mill dams makes portage necessary, due to drops of several feet or high turbulence.

Public parks are adjacent to most of these dams, and are popular fishing spots.

Due to steady infeed of springwater, this river is navigable in all seasons.

The lowest flow measured, 25 cubic feet (0.71 m3) per second, was recorded on August 30, 1936.