It is 101.6 km (63.1 mi) long, making it the 22nd longest river in the Czech Republic.

The river further flows through the municipal territories of Útvina, Bochov, Štědrá, Žlutice, Chyše, Manětín, Štichovice, Mladotice, Pláně, Plasy, Obora, Koryta, Dolní Hradiště, Kozojedy and Liblín.

The largest body of water is the Žlutice Reservoir with an area of 142 ha (350 acres), built directly on the Střela.

[3] Species of animals that are endangered within the Czech Republic and live in or near the river include the brook lamprey, European crayfish and Eurasian beaver.

[5] The Střela is suitable for river tourism only after heavy rains, melting snow or when water is released from the Žlutice Reservoir.