The river brought prosperity to Upton, as it was the main highway for goods to and from the Welsh Marches. But it also brought the destructive force of frequent flooding.

The flood of February 1852 is memorable as it destroyed the old sandstone bridge after it had already been severely damaged by being struck by a trow, the Blaina of Droitwich.

This picture, taken in July 2007, graphically illustrates that the shape of Upton is defined by the extent of flooding.