[1][2] The source is near to the village of Marchington Woodlands, it flows southeast, and passes through Newborough, Hoar Cross, Woodmill, and Yoxall until it joins the River Trent between Wychnor Park and Alrewas.

This is the middle band on the five part framework scale, which ranges from high, good, and moderate, through to poor and bad.

[4] The river is unusual in that it supports a population of native White clawed crayfish in the upper reaches, which is an endangered species in the UK.

Efforts are being made to restrict the spread of the disease in order that the crayfish in the headwaters and in nearby ponds are not infected.

Known as Swarbourn meadow, the wetland habitat is also the location for an artificial holt which has been constructed in order to attract otters from the Trent where they have previously been spotted.