The creek begins southwest of Kemptville and empties 4 km (2.5 mi) NE into the Rideau River.

Farmland covers the rest of the area, especially the west and the southern part of the community, with some exceptions.

The small town of Kemptville began to emerge from the forest in the township of Oxford when Lyman Clothier, a resident of New England, bought 100 acres (40 ha) of land in Concession 3 of Oxford-on-Rideau Township from a John Byce in 1819 for C£75.

Mr. Clothier began construction of a saw mill with the assistance of his four sons, and they built two dwellings in what is now Kemptville.

The small village was expanding quickly and the residents of the region were beginning to think about officially giving a dignified name to the location in which they lived.

So, during a public meeting at this time, the name "Kemptville" was suggested, to honour Sir James Kempt, the Governor of Upper Canada in 1829, who was said to have camped on the banks of the Rideau River near the settlement.