[7] Draining 1,090 square miles (2,800 km2), it flows predominantly west to east.

Unity Lake State Recreation Site adjoins the reservoir.

As it leaves the lake, the river flows under Oregon Route 245, then runs east through the upper Burnt River Valley past Hereford and Bridgeport and, through the Burnt River Canyon, to Durkee.

Turning generally southeast at Durkee, the river runs along Interstate 84 past Weatherby, Dixie, and Lime before flowing under the Interstate and turning east again.

Shortly thereafter, it passes Huntington and reaches the Snake.