The Kaleet River effectively starts north of Lower Macdougall Lake in the Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada just east of Joe Lake, (66°16′31″N098°20′13″W). It is a small, silty river constituting the eastern boundary of the Queen Maud Gulf Bird Sanctuary. It is a main feeder river to Sherman Basin, (67°46′59″N097°34′59″W). at its final outlet. There is evidence of earlier Inuit presence in the form of inuksuit. There is also evidence of a more modern presence in the form of cairns.