The river has a very low gradient and is subject to heavy silting which worsens the seasonal flooding. Much of the watershed contains clay soil deep which limits ground absorption, and 85% of the land in the entire watershed is developed as residential or commercial/industrial which decreases the available land surface for absorption. Homes near the river are required to carry flood insurance, and damaging flooding is a common occurrence. A storm on May 21, 2004, that produced of rain resulted in the river rising over in only three hours.