The mouth is at the upper Barima River, and the area is made up of mostly mangrove swamps.

[2] It was a hiding place for escapees of the People's Temple massacre due to its proximity to the Jonestown settlement.

[3][4] Testing done by Guyana Water Inc. and the EPA found high rates of mercury in the river that has been linked to mining in the area.

[5][6] Residents of Port Kaituma and other villages have to obtain water from other sources, such as wells or delivered from outside the area because piped water is pumped from the river.

[7] An indigenous practice of stunning fish by using 'canami' also impacts water quality.