In its upper reaches it is called the River Eye and it becomes the Wreake below Melton Mowbray, near Sysonby Lodge.

The river was canalised in the late 18th century, after the Wreak and Eye Navigation Act 1791 (31 Geo.

3. c. 77) was passed, though after the building of the Syston and Peterborough railway in the mid 19th century, the canal was disused and fell into ruin.

Many of the diversions made to the river in order to make the canal navigable are still visible, especially in the neighbourhood of Hoby with Rotherby, Frisby on the Wreake, Kirby Bellars and Asfordby.

The Wreake is graded by the Environment Agency as "B" quality, which is excellent for a Midlands river.