The River Owenea is a classic spate river draining Lough Ea in the Blue Stack Mountains and flowing for approximately 13 miles (21km) through Glenties before emptying into Loughrosmore Bay at Ardara in County Donegal. It is primarily a spate river, meaning water levels respond quickly to rainfall, typically taking from half a day to two days to run off after a flood. The river is beloved by fly anglers for its streamy runs interspersed with pools, creating excellent fly water. The fishery is well-managed, consisting of nine beats of double-bank fishing along the lower eight miles of the river, with beats ranging from 800 meters to 2 kilometers in length. The river has a mix of granite, quartzite, marble, and schist geology.