[1][2] The river runs for a length of 8.7 kilometres (5.4 mi) from its spring to the mouth at Salgados.

Behind the beach is an area of wetland called the Salgados Lagoon[3] which is fed by the waters of the river.

It is a shallow salt marsh which was restored and is now an important wildlife habitat for the area.

Whilst the west bank behind the sand bar has been conserved as a large wetland which has become an excellent habitat for a large variety of water fowl[4] and has become an important stopping point for thousands of migrating birds.

[4] Further up stream from the coast the river passes around the western perimeter of the visitor attraction called the Zoomarine theme park and crosses under the N125 principal east to west coast road.