[1] The Shawinigan flows through forested areas, agricultural and urban (at the end of his course).

At its head, it drains some lakes including lac Barnard (in Maskinongé Regional County Municipality), lac Wapizagonke and other water bodies in the southern zone the La Mauricie National Park.

On its way, its waters flow at first to southbound across the "chutes du diable" falls, then eastward, sometimes following a serpentine path.

Then the river flows in south-westerly direction along the Quebec Autoroute 55, where a drop creates waterfalls.

Finally, the river flows into the baie de Shawinigan, where it meets the Saint-Maurice at the foot of the Shawinigan hydroelectric complex.