The headwaters of the Adams are several unnamed glaciers at roughly 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation in the north-east region of the Monashee Range of the Columbia Mountains.
The upper portion of the river flows roughly south and southwest through wetlands and passes through two small lakes, Tumtum and Mica.
 It has sections of rapids and whitewater, and flows over cataracts below Tumtum Lake.
Its flow drops by 5 metres (16 ft) per kilometre in certain sections.
After travelling for 94 kilometres (58 mi) and entering the Shuswap Highland, it enters the northern end of Adams Lake.

Adams Lake is roughly 72 kilometres (45 mi) along its north-south axis, and reaches a maximum depth of 457 metres (1,499 ft), making it the 24th deepest lake in the world.
  The Lower Adams issues from the extreme southern end of the lake and travels 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) through a narrow valley.
 It empties into Shuswap Lake near the community of Squilax.
 From Adams Lake to the Shuswap, the Lower Adams drops 60 metres (200 ft) in elevation.
The headwaters of the Adams are several unnamed glaciers at roughly 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) elevation in the north-east region of the Monashee Range of the Columbia Mountains. The upper portion of the river flows roughly south and southwest through wetlands and passes through two small lakes, Tumtum and Mica.  It has sections of rapids and whitewater, and flows over cataracts below Tumtum Lake. Its flow drops by 5 metres (16 ft) per kilometre in certain sections. After travelling for 94 kilometres (58 mi) and entering the Shuswap Highland, it enters the northern end of Adams Lake. 
Adams Lake is roughly 72 kilometres (45 mi) along its north-south axis, and reaches a maximum depth of 457 metres (1,499 ft), making it the 24th deepest lake in the world.   The Lower Adams issues from the extreme southern end of the lake and travels 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) through a narrow valley.  It empties into Shuswap Lake near the community of Squilax.  From Adams Lake to the Shuswap, the Lower Adams drops 60 metres (200 ft) in elevation.
Adams River (British Columbia)