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 flow roughly south and southwest through wetlands and pass through two small lakes , Tumtum and Mica . It have sections of rapids and whitewater , and flow over cataracts below Tumtum Lake . Its flow drop by 5 metres ( 16 ft ) per kilometre in certain sections . After travelling for 94 kilometres ( 58 mi ) and entering the Shuswap Highland , it enter the northern end of Adams Lake .