The river, despite having been tiny during historical times, represents a significant corridor through the generally mountainous terrain surrounding it, along which several cities were settled, namely, from north to south, Banyeres de Mariola, Villena, Sax, Elda, Petrer, Novelda and Elx/Elche.

This means that for the few days it takes until all this water is drained from the surrounding land, the flow rate of the river approaches what it may have been in the very distant past.

During normal conditions (torrential rain episodes aside), the maximum sustained flow of the Vinalopó is reached by early winter in Colonia Santa Eulalia (near Sax) with an average of just 0,85 m³/s.

However, during periods of peak flow the river has breached its banks resulting in flooding that has caused damage to humans and property in Elda, this has occurred on a number of occasions most notable in 1906 and 1982.

Due to the semi-arid climate which characterizes the area that the river flows through (see Geography of the Comunitat Valenciana), the hydrological cycle in the Vinalopo's watershed is extremely fragile.

Due to this over extraction and the droughts that the zone suffers the river bed nearest to the point where it historically discharged into the sea Salines de Santa Pola is left with no flow during certain periods.

Thus, for example, in the 12th century, during the Al-Andalus period, the local author al-Idrîs does not even name it and he just mentions "a brackish stream near Elche whose waters are not good for drinking".

This may be partially explained by repeated flooding episodes over the centuries enhanced by erosion, which the scarcely vegetated matorral areas through which the river passes have suffered over time.

The valley of the Vinalopó has been the location of many settlements throughout history, as shown by the important Iberian – Roman villages of Idella (Elda) o Illici (Elx/Elche).