[1] As it passes near the hamlets of New Cowper and Edderside it forms the southern boundary of the civil parish of Holme St. Cuthbert,[2][3] and the northern boundary of the civil parish of Allonby,[4] before entering the Solway Firth at Dubmill, at the northern end of Allonby Bay.

In 1860, it was mentioned in the London Gazette, as the midpoint of the stream was to become the boundary between the townships of Langrigg and Mealrigg, and Westnewton.

[6] In 1969, an overflow channel was dug between the Black Dub and nearby Cross Beck, near the mouth of the streams.

[8] Numerous smaller irrigation channels serve as tributaries to the Black Dub, with the vast majority being within the civil parish of Holme St. Cuthbert.

Its largest tributary is Jordan Beck, which rises near Jericho and flows through Plasketlands farm, Mawbray, and Salta, joining the Black Dub mere metres before it meets the sea.