The river and the Barle Valley are both designated as biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

It was formed in the 19th century when John Knight and his son dammed the river at that point.

The river flows through the Somerset Wildlife Trust's Mounsey Wood Nature Reserve and Knaplock and North Barton SSSI, first notified in 1954, which are within Exmoor National Park.

[9] The upper reaches of the Barle have favourable rapids which appeal to whitewater kayakers.

The rapids are Graded at 2 (3-) which beginner to intermediate kayakers and canoeists paddle.