The Kolan River is joined by nineteen tributaries including the main tributary, Gin-Gin Creek, a watercourse that is 92 kilometres (57 mi) long.

[3] The lower reaches of the river are surrounded by sugar cane fields.

[3] Macfadyena unguis-cati, commonly known as Cats Claw Creeper, is a rapidly growing clinging vine that has been killing gumtrees on the banks of the Kolan River, leaving damaged tracts of riverbank.

[5] In 2007 a water hyacinth outbreak occurred within the Kolan River system.

[6] The name of the river is derived from a Gubbi-Gubbi expression, kalang, meaning good.