The creek terminates at a small sandy delta on the western shore of Mono Lake.

Due to the ruggedness of the area, the construction of the road along the sheer canyon walls during the 1930s was the most difficult part of the trans-Sierra crossing.

The creek is used for hydropower generation at the Poole power plant operated by Southern California Edison, located within Lee Vining Canyon.

Water impounded by dams at Ellery (formerly Rhinedollar) and Saddlebag Lakes are released to generate power over a total drop of 1,700 feet (520 m).

[4][5] A portion of the creek is diverted into the Second Los Angeles Aqueduct near Lee Vining to provide water to metropolitan Southern California.