The intermediate part which follows the foot of the big mountain, is served by a forest road for the needs of forestry and the maintenance of high-voltage lines of Hydro-Quebec.

The upper part, which is difficult to access because of the mountainous terrain, is served by a forest road from the north.

The water level of the river varies with the seasons and the precipitation; the spring flood occurs in March or April.

The Retained River originates from a small forest lake (length: 0.5 kilometres (0.31 mi); altitude: 568 metres (1,864 ft)).

The toponym "Rivière la Retenue" was formalized on December 13, 1996 at the Commission de toponymie du Québec.