 The chain of lakes system begins with the upper stage of the Intermediate River, which rises in hill country at  in the northwest corner of Chestonia Township in central Antrim County.From here, the waterway traverses a number of small lakes flowing north, then making a sharp turn near the village of Ellsworth, flows south through a narrow valley, paralleling the tracks of the Pere Marquette Railroad, until emptying into Intermediate Lake.The outlet of Intermediate Lake converges with the Cedar River in the village of Bellaire, gaining considerable volume.