The main river descends 525 metres (1,722 ft) over its 109 kilometres (68 mi) course,[3] sedately through cleared farming country downstream of Mount Beauty; the West Kiewa River descends 850 metres (2,790 ft) over its 29 kilometres (18 mi) course,[4] in near-pristine ash and peppermint forest country where the flow is swift,[citation needed] upstream of the town of Mount Beauty.

[5] The river is impounded by Lake Guy at 658 metres (2,159 ft) above sea level and other dams associated with the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme, which traps waters flowing from the Bogong High Plains.

The McKay Creek and West Kiewa power stations are the major generating elements of the Scheme, which provides peak load to the Victorian electricity grid.

[6] The Kiewa is a popular fly fishing stream for local anglers as it holds good populations of wild brown and rainbow trout.

The upper reaches of the Kiewa River and the Bogong High Plains are a very popular area for cross-country skiing through winter and through to the early spring months.