The 1700's limit of navigation was Pool Quay, near Welshpool, however, this doesn't mean the river was deep to this point. While bridges were built across the middle to upper reaches from the Middle Ages at least (Shrewsbury Welsh Bridge was there at least as early as 1155*) in the tidal areas it apparently required dredging in places* (which could have effected the bore*), while higher up boats had to be hauled*. Along much of its length there were fords, for example, going downstream from Ford there were fords at: Wroxeter (where the Roman Watling Street possibly forded*, and which Camden suggested was the lowest fording point in his day(?) [Camden*: Shroppshire]); Hawford*; Worcester (which had several fords***); and a number further down towards Tewkesbury*. The splitting of the river at Gloucester makes it traditionally the lowest point to cross (as evidenced by it being the Roman gateway to South Wales*) though actually the river is only 2-3 feet (<1m) deep at Stonebench (~ here)* south of Gloucester.