[2] Including its longest headwaters tributary, the North English River, the total length increases to 89.2 miles (143.6 km).

The English River flows for much of its course in north and south forks, which join in extreme northwestern Washington County.

The English River then flows generally eastwardly for about 37 miles (60 km),[2] past the town of Riverside.

It rises about two miles north-northwest of Montezuma in the south-central part of Poweshiek County at 41°37′32″N 092°33′05″W / 41.62556°N 92.55139°W / 41.62556; -92.55139 with an elevation of 950 feet (290 m).

It rises about two miles (3.2 km) south-southeast of the village of Deep River, Iowa in the southeastern part of Poweshiek County at 41°33′15″N 092°21′21″W / 41.55417°N 92.35583°W / 41.55417; -92.35583 with an elevation of 920 feet (280 m).