[5] The River Lee has its source in the Shehy Mountains near Gougane Barra, where there is a forest park, chapel, hotel, and shop.

The two channels join again at the Cork docks and enter the extensive estuary and harbour, south of Glanmire, passing either side of Great Island (Cobh lies on the south coast) to fill the outer harbour, and reaching the open sea between Whitegate and Crosshaven.

Naomhoga Chorcai is also based on the Marina, and is Ireland's largest Currach (traditional canvas fishing boat) rowing club.

[citation needed] Tidal considerations, combined with low-lying urban developments, and later dam management contribute to repeated flooding events on the Lee.

[16] In late 2009 the river flooded, causing some of the most significant damage in Cork city for a number of centuries.

[17] Lower-lying parts of the University College Cork campus were also flooded extensively, resulting in lectures being cancelled throughout the week.

[19] To prevent issues upstream, the ESB made a controversial decision to release water from the Inniscarra hydro-electric dam.