It has a meander length of approximately 72 km[2] from its source at Shubenacadie Grand Lake to its mouth at the community of Maitland on the Cobequid Bay.

The Shubenacadie Valley hosts a diversified agricultural economy and is also experiencing suburban sprawl, given its location in the Halifax-Truro transportation corridor.

[5][6] Documents obtained via the Freedom of Information Act from the company dating back to 2014 showed plans to produce brine with salinity levels 6 times greater than is considered safe for the area's fish.

[6] The project was met with intense opposition by the Sipekne'katik First Nation and environmentalists due to concerns surrounding the river's fish being affected by the planned brine flushing.

[5][6] The First Nation sought an appeal of the project's approval via the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, citing lack of consultation with the band, going against their Aboriginal title claims to the land.