The main neighboring watersheds of the Rivière aux Frênes are: The Rivière aux Frênes takes its source from the village road 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) south-east of the village of Joly.

The "rivière aux Frènes" flows westward, with a drop of 32 metres (105 ft), crossing the railway, the 3th and fourth rang West road, as well as the highway 20 (on the east side of exit 266).

[1] The Rivière aux Frênes flows onto the east bank of the Henri River in the municipality of Val-Alain.

The French term "Frêne" ("Ash" in English) turns out to be a species of leafy tree, comprising nine varieties.

The toponym “rivière aux Frênes” was made official on August 8, 1977, at the Commission de toponymie du Québec.