In 1907, the British Empire conceived the Benton Tunnel and Upper Swat Canal project to irrigate the dry Valley of Peshawar and to appease and improve their image among the local tribes.

The Upper Swat Canal was declared complete by the British Empire in late 1916 and the cost was "206 lakhs of Rupees" or Rs20.6 million at the time.

[8] The local population began to grow along with the production of wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, fruits and vegetables.

More than one million people directly or indirectly depend on the Upper Swat Canal for their livelihood.

[1] Between 1990 and 1999 the Government of Pakistan spent roughly US$130 million to upgrade the existing system of the Upper Swat Canal and the Lower Swat Canal by improving surface and subsurface drainage, remodelling the irrigation system, renovating watercourses and providing support facilities.