It flows southwest, forming the border between Moston, Manchester and Failsworth before being culverted almost all of the remaining route to its meeting the River Irk.

The river was used industrially during the Cottonopolis period of Manchester's history, such as for the washing, bleaching and dyeing of yarns, although Moston was mostly noted for silk weaving.

[2] Another tributary, Hole Bottom Brook, rises in north Hollinwood and runs to the Failsworth boundary near the Rochdale Canal, where a short section is still in daylight.

[6] Here it is joined by the Dean Brook, which flows past the site of Moston Hall in Broadhurst Park and is also culverted south of Joyce Street.

[7] The brook is briefly visible again in Collyhurst near Manchester Communication Academy,[2] before again entering culverts which take it most of the way to its confluence with the River Irk.

[15] Moston Brook High School, which was built on the former site of the North Road sports pitches, was closed in August 2000.

Valley slopes were smoothed, paths and steps were incorporated, drainage channels were installed and stabilisation work was conducted.

[4] The proliferation of factories and works in north Manchester, Failsworth and Oldham during and after the Industrial Revolution led to Moston Brook becoming badly polluted.

[3] From 1990 to 2007, the brook consistently received the lowest possible grade from the Environment Agency, meaning it was very polluted and had a severely restricted ecosystem.

[1] These poor results led to the Environment Agency and United Utilities agreeing to work together to improve the brook's water quality.

[21] The Environment Agency has funded sustainable drainage systems to prevent surface water entering the brook from a nearby industrial site and former landfill areas.

[20] In 2010, Oldham Council hired a member of staff as project officer, in charge of improving the quality of the Moston Brook corridor.

[8] The group meets to plan access improvements, events, volunteering sessions, guided walks and nature activities.

[21] For example, an annual Fun Day is held on Lower Failsworth Memorial Land, with activities such as falconry displays, bouncy castles, arts and crafts and model train rides.

[8][24] Lancashire Wildlife Trust has organised volunteering sessions around Moston Brook and the project officer has conducted bat spotting tours with the local community.