[2] The stream headwaters arise in southeast Wayne County at 40°40′13″N 93°13′22″W / 40.67028°N 93.22278°W / 40.67028; -93.22278[1] at an elevation of approximately 1080 feet and three miles west-southwest of Seymour, Iowa.
[3] It flows south into Putnam County, Missouri, and passes under US Route 136 six miles west of Unionville.
It continues into Sullivan County passing three miles west of Pollock.
It continues south roughly parallel to and west of Missouri Route 5 past the west side of Milan, through the Locust Creek Conservation Area and passing east of Reger.
It flows south through Linn County passing the communities of Purdin, Linneus and Laclede.