The head of the river watered many streams of the area north-west of Saint-Hyacinthe (sectors La Présentation, Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (parish) and Sainte-Madeleine (village)).

In its journey south, the river veers to the southwest to flow over 9.4 kilometres (5.8 mi) (measured by water) in Saint-Jean-Baptiste where it enters the village.

Then runs almost straight up to the limit of Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, close to the northern part of the former territory of Sainte-Marie-de-Monnoir (merged to Marieville in 2001).

A designated hamlet "Huron River" was formed in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, about 5 kilometres (3 mi) west of Rougement and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Mont Saint-Hilaire.

[2] Another designated hamlet "Hameau de Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu" is located 6 miles northeast of Chambly, on the left bank of the Hurons River.

In all of the La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality as well, this sub-watershed was conducive to hunting, fishing and agriculture in Native American prehistory.

European origin pioneers (or their descendants) have begun to colonize the territory from the late 17th century, especially in the vicinity of the Richelieu River.