This river flows through the regional county municipalities (MRC) of: The southern part of this small valley is accessible by rue Principale de Saint-Irénée and chemin du rang Saint-Pierre, which pass on the east side.

The intermediate part is served by the rang Saint-Pierre road which first passes north of the river; then on the south side going west.

The water level of the river varies with the seasons and the precipitation; the spring flood occurs in March or April.

The Jean-Noël river takes its source from a small lake located on the north side of Chemin de Saint-Hilarion, in an agricultural area.

[2] The toponym "Rivière Jean-Noël" was formalized on December 5, 1968 at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.