[3][4] The Elk River rises in northern Benton County, Minnesota and initially flows generally southward.

[5] In his 1843 map of the Upper Mississippi, Joseph Nicollet recorded this river as "Kabitawi R[iver]", reflecting Gaa-biitawi-ziibi ("the parallelling river") in the Ojibwe) due to this parallel course with the Mississippi.

[6] It joins the Mississippi at the city of Elk River, after passing through Orono Lake,[5] which is formed by a municipal hydroelectric dam.

[7] At Big Lake, the river measures approximately 285 cubic feet per second.

[8] In Sherburne County's Big Lake Township, the Elk collects the St. Francis River and the Snake River;[9] the latter is a minor stream which flows for its entire length in Sherburne County, generally southward through Santiago, Becker and Big Lake Townships in a straightened and channelized course.