It flows north, roughly parallel to the Columbia until curving slightly northwest to join it.

Beyond the confluence, Shillapoo Wildlife Area is to the left, and the unincorporated community of Felida is to the right.

[3] The river exits the wildlife refuge, and about 3 miles (5 km) from the mouth, the stream curves to the northwest and enters Ridgefield, which is on the right.

A mile or so later, Bachelor Island Slough enters from the left, and Carty Lake is on the right as the stream re-enters the wildlife refuge.

[4] The watershed includes the mostly urban 28-square-mile (73 km2) catchment of Burnt Bridge Creek, which empties into Vancouver Lake.