The river has played an important part in the industrial history of Sheffield, as it descends through in the between Low Bradfield and the Don, and this has enabled many mills, forges and cutlers wheels to be powered by its waters. A total of 24 are known to have existed at various times. Each mill, including outbuildings, stables and housing for the owner, was known locally as a wheel. A weir was constructed across the river, creating a pond known as a "dam". A leat called a "head goit" fed water to a water wheel, and a "tail goit" returned the water to the river, below the weir. In some cases, multiple water wheels were fed from the same dam, and in others, a wheel might drive several "ends", which were connected to grinding wheels, and might be leased to several tenants.