The main neighboring watersheds of the Grande Coudée river are: The Grande Coudée river has its source in a swamp straddling the townships of Dorset and Gayhurst, very close (north side) of the boundary between the Beauce-Sartigan Regional County Municipality (RCM) and Le Granit Regional County Municipality (RCM).

Its source is located 7.3 kilometres (4.5 mi) north-west of the bridge in the village of Saint-Ludger, at 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi) north-east of Drolet Lake, located in the municipality of Lac-Drolet.

In other times, this river has been designated “Grande Coudée” by the inhabitants of this sector; and this name has been attested in particular by Vondenvelden and Charland, 1803, and Bouchette, 1832.

The term "flow" popularly denotes a ravine, usually having an intermittent stream.

As early as 1860, pioneers settled at the Grande Coudée, i.e. at the mouth of this watercourse.