[2] Several meltwater outflow streams from the southern base of the Russell Glacier (66°57′45″N 50°00′00″W / 66.96250°N 50.00000°W / 66.96250; -50.00000) form the Qinnguata Kuussua river.

[1] From the south, the river valley is delimited by a sequence of tundra ranges, culminating in Tasersuatsiaap Kinginnera at 591 m (1,939 ft), and petering out near Kangerlussuaq in the form of a low, wide ridge of Qaarsorsuaq.

The confluence at 67°01′10″N 50°39′20″W / 67.01944°N 50.65556°W / 67.01944; -50.65556 forms a small sandur basin with large fields of glacial silt quicksand.

The estuary of the river is very narrow, forcing its way through a rock barrier at high speed,[3] discharging silt, which subsequently forms quicksand islet patches at the end of the Kangerlussuaq Fjord.

On 31 August 2007 one of the temporary meltwater outflow lakes near Russell Glacier broke the ice barrier, emptying into the upper basin of the river, with the latter flooding the valley.