Apart from the residential areas, forestry is the main economic activity in this valley; agriculture, second.

[1] The Manitou River rises at the dam located at the bottom of a bay on the south shore of the eastern part of Manitou Lake at Sandfield in the Township of Central Manitoulin on the Manitoulin Island.

The Manitou River current generally descends southwest over approximately 20.1 kilometres (12.5 mi) in length through the boreal forest (crossing a few agricultural areas in the upper part), with a drop of 46 m (151 ft), according to the following segments: The Manitou River ends at Michael's Bay on North shore of Lake Huron at the south end of Manitoulin Island.

The Blue Jay Creek and Manitou River Enhancement Strategy[2] was completed in June 2001 and approved in December 2003 by the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association.

The organization has rehabilitated 17 major sites along the river which has improved water quality and the fisheries in the region.