The Molonglo River flows through Canberra, where it is impounded by Scrivener Dam to form Lake Burley Griffin, the capital's central lake. The dammed section between Scrivener Dam and the Dairy Road Bridge forms the lake proper, which stretches approximately nine kilometres in length with a width varying between 300 and 1,200 metres. The lake sits at an elevation of 555.93 metres above sea level, roughly 300 kilometres south-west of Sydney. Maximum depth reaches 17.6 metres near Scrivener Dam, while the mean depth is around four metres, with the shallowest area at East Basin measuring 1.9 metres.

Several put-in options are available for paddlers. The Molonglo Reach canoe club provides a launch point on the river, and from there a return paddle to Scrivener Dam covers approximately 20 kilometres. Additional access points include near the Yarralumla Yacht Club and near the Water Police station. The canoe club at Molonglo Reach has an active paddling community, making it a practical base for those unfamiliar with the area.

Beyond the impounded lake section, the river corridor features rocky stretches that are normally submerged but become accessible when water levels drop during dam maintenance works. Under typical conditions, the river banks have walking tracks on each side, and the water level through the natural river sections can be substantial enough to restrict close access to the channel.

Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra's centrepiece, with numerous national institutions and parks situated along its shores, giving the paddling experience a distinctly urban and civic character. The lake level is actively managed by Scrivener Dam, meaning water levels can be deliberately lowered for maintenance purposes, which paddlers should factor into trip planning.