The creek's headwaters are on the eastern side of the Pemberton Icefield, from where it flows southeast for the first half of its course, then generally east for the remainder.
The mouth is at 50° 16' 3" N, 122° 57' 41" W. Rutherford Creek is the location of one of only two artificial whitewater kayaking courses in Canada, the other being in Ottawa.
It includes a channel with weirs, boulders, baffle walls, anchor pads and a classroom.
The plant uses a 9 km (5.6 mi) penstock leading to a power house with two 25 MW pelton wheels.
Rutherford Creek became the focus of disaster relief when a Pineapple Express bearing more rain than has ever been recorded before reached the area, and was made worse because the freezing line was well above the elevation of the Pemberton Icecap, which began to melt in torrential fashion.