The river is host to fish , including trout , grayling , perch , chub , roach and dace . It held good populations of native crayfish until at least the 1980s . River waters were used in cloth and woollen blanket making in Witney from mid 17th century . In 2007 , the Windrush was one of many rivers in the area to flood . Towns and villages along the length of the river were affected , perhaps most acutely in Witney , which was cut in half by the closure of the only bridge across the river
to flood
2007 United Kingdom floods
River Windrush