It originates in the Canadian Rockies, flows through Lake Minnewanka, and in turn, joins the Bow River.

The Cascade River is formed from the glacial melt of Flints and Bonnet Peaks, as well as Block Mountain.

The river also takes on Stoney Creek before entering the dramatic Stewart Canyon, then draining into Lake Minnewanka.

Prior to the Cascade Hydro Electric Development completion in 1942 the river exited the lake near the current day use area a flowed past the former town of Bankhead though what is now known as the Cascade Ponds.

The Cascade project also included a small diversion dam directing some water from the Ghost River into Lake Minnewanka to increase the flow rate of water though the Cascade Powerhouse.