The river has a 436 square kilometres (168 sq mi) drainage basin.

[1] Its headwaters rise in the eastern foothills of the Vista Alegre and Pinhão serras at altitudes of 400 to 500 metres (1,300 to 1,600 ft).

The córrego runs southeast to meet the Barriguda River, forming the Frades River, which runs east and then southeast to the Atlantic Ocean.

[2] The Pau Brasil National Park lies between the Frades and Buranhém rivers.

[3] The mouth of the river is protected by the 894 hectares (2,210 acres) Rio dos Frades Wildlife Refuge, and is an area of restinga salt marsh, with shrubs and thickets.