It flows east parallel to the A58 Rochdale Road into Baitings reservoir.

Baitings was opened on 14 November 1956 after eight years' work and a cost of £1.4 million.

[2] Ryburn Reservoir was the first to be opened on 7 September 1933 after eight years' construction at a cost of £240,000.

The dam at the east end of the reservoir is approximately 100 feet (30 m) high.

[1] Local landowner John Rawson (1813–1899) was responsible for the planting of much of the woodland along the River Ryburn valley.