The Rivière à l'Ours is a tributary of the east bank of the Ottawa River.

Then the current flows on 2.7 km (1.7 mi) south-west to the outlet of Lac La Noire (altitude: 365 m (1,198 ft)).

Then the current flows on 2.3 km (1.4 mi) to the southwest, collecting the waters of Lac de la Fauvette (altitude: 365 m (1,198 ft)) and Lac Esgriseilles (altitude: 386 m (1,266 ft)), to Lac Beaubel (altitude: 356 m (1,168 ft)) which the current crosses over 1.7 km (1.1 mi) to the southeast.

The toponym Rivière à l'Ours is associated with the neighboring watercourse (east side) which is designated Little Bear River and with the neighboring lake (east side) designated Petit lac à l'Ours.

The toponym Rivière à l'Ours was formalized on December 5, 1968 at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.