The White River begins at the Great Basin Divide in the White Pine Range near Ely, where it is fed by snowmelt and springs from Currant Mountain. It passes by the towns of Preston and Lund, flowing south through the White River Valley more or less continuously for about 40 miles (64 km). Along the way it receives water from various springs on the slopes of the Grant Range to the west and the Egan Range to the east.