The Pit River rises in several forks in Modoc, Lassen and Shasta counties in the northeastern corner of California. The South Fork Pit River - West Valley Creek - Cedar Creek source originates just southeast of Buck Mountain in the Warner Mountains, in the extreme southeastern corner of the Modoc National Forest west of the California-Nevada border. The South Fork is formed from the confluence of several creeks in Jess Valley northeast of Madeline and flows west through a narrow canyon, past Likely, then generally north through a broad ranching valley where its waters are diverted for irrigation and waterfowl conservation via an extensive system of canals.