On Tuesday 8 August 1967, a flash flood caused devastation in the villages of Higherford and Barrowford.

[2][3] Following the 2000 floods, the Environment Agency faced a £900,000 bill to stop the river washing away the embankment, which supports the M65 near the Reedyford Bridge at Barrowford.

[6] At Lomeshaye, the construction of the industrial estate and the two sewage treatment works that preceded it has seen the river's course straightened, with part of the old route still supplied with water by Edge End Brook.

Numerous local organisations, including the Lomeshaye Marsh Preservation Group, worked in conjunction with the Environment Agency to restore the site.

[8] The local special school, Pendle Community College, was joint winner of the 2009 Ecover Ethical Kids Award for its involvement with the project.