It is part of the Olifants/Doring River system.

It is not to be confused with the Groot River of Eastern Cape or the Groot River of Southern Cape provinces.

It is formed by the confluence of the Twee River and Lang River, flowing off the eastern slopes of the Cederberg Mountains, south-east of Citrusdal.

The Groot flows in an easterly direction through the Skurweberge Mountains where it joins the Riet River that rises as the Winkelhaak River and Houdenbeks River north of Ceres.

[1] The Clanwilliam Yellowfish (Labeobarbus capensis), a local endemic classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is found in this river.