It is a tributary of the Red Deer River.

The river forms in the Rocky Mountains and flows eastward before joining the Red Deer River.

The James River is also bridged by Alberta Highway 22 near the unincorporated community of James River Bridge.

Species of fish commonly found in the river include the brown trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, northern pike and a few others.

This article related to a river in Alberta, Canada is a stub.