The Waswanipi River flows in the Municipality of Eeyou Istchee Baie-James in the administrative region of Nord-du-Québec, in Quebec, Canada.

The main hydrographic slopes adjacent to the Waswanipi River are: The river originates in the village of Waswanipi, in the canton of Ghent, at the junction of the Chibougamau (coming from the east) and Opawica (coming from the South).

From its source, the course of the river flows over 139.4 kilometres (86.6 mi) distributed as follows: The mouth of the Waswanipi River is located at: As early as the 18th century, the designation "Waswanipi" means a lake Waswanipi, two rivers, and a Native American group.

At the beginning of the 20th century, during a voyage of exploration in northern Quebec, geologist and land surveyor Henry O'Sullivan borrowed this waterway.

[2] The toponym Waswanipi River was formalized on December 5, 1968, at the Commission de toponymie du Quebec.