The river has been the subject of channel engineering , to ease the problem of flooding . A new channel was constructed for it near its mouth in the 1950s , as the old route had been affected by subsidence . Washlands , which can be progressively flooded as water levels rise , were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s . A flood relief channel and a regulator to restrict the flow was built at Bolton upon Dearne . During the 2007 United Kingdom floods , all of the washlands filled to capacity , but the regulator could not be operated as it had been vandalised
2007 United Kingdom floods
2007 United Kingdom floods
River Dearne