It is one of the biggest rivers in western Slavonia, flowing from east to west and enabling formation of fertile fields on its way.

[1] In the Middle Ages, the area of the Bijela was owned mostly by the Tibold noble family,[2] while in the mid-16th century it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

After the liberation in 1699, it became part of the Kingdom of Slavonia within the Habsburg monarchy.

It has its source in Ravna Gora mountain near the village of Novo Zvečevo in the vicinity the Papuk Geopark area in western Slavonia.

[3] The Bijela is an important source of public water supplies, as well as for recreational use.