The 246 km river is the longest river on the island draining an area of 1,100 km²[1] and is the second longest in the province after the Churchill River.
The river drains Red Indian Lake at its starting point and discharges into the Bay of Exploits near the port town of Botwood.
The Exploits River provides habitat for spawningAtlantic Salmon and other species of fish. The salmon population increased dramatically when fish ladders were installed, opening up sections of the river that had been previously inaccessible.