Shaw Brook is located in the City of Bangor, Maine and the Towns of Hermon, Maine and Hampden, Maine. The stream headwaters are located in Bangor in the vicinity of Hildreth Street North. The stream flows in a southerly direction towards Hammond Street. The stream crosses under Hammond Street near the town line with Hermon. The stream flows through Hermon and Hampden to the Souadabscook Stream. Drainage areas in Bangor flowing to Shaw Brook include Hildreth Street North, Hildreth Street, portions of Outer Hammond Street, portions of Target Industrial Circle, and portions of Odlin Road.
Shaw Brook has been assessed by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and determined not to meet state water quality standards for aquatic life use. The stream was consequently listed on the State's 303(d) list of impaired waters in 2006.