High Energy Rivers
Higher energy rivers can often be stabilised using bioengineering techniques. Salix have unparalleled experience in the design and implementation of these systems.
Traditional engineering solutions have called upon hard revetments such as sheet piling, blockstone or gabion baskets, all of which can have a detrimental impact on river and riparian habitat.
If hard engineering solutions are required, some form of bioengineering solution, such as reinforced vegetation or brush willow can often be incorporated to mitigate the ecological impact of the revetment.
Salix have the in house capabilities to provide both hard and soft engineering revetments.
Case Studies
River Towy, Bank erosion, Carmarthen
90 metres of bank erosion had eroded the bank and caused the footpath to collapse into the River Towy in the centre of Carmarthen
River Elwy, Pipeline Protection, North Wales
A high pressure gas pipe had become exposed due to significant river bed scour and bank erosion on a section of the Afon Elwy near St Asaph.
Scour Prevented by AquaRockBags
AquaRockBags® were installed by the local council highways team to prevent a road subsiding due to scour and erosion caused by the adjacent watercourse. AquaRo…
Yearl Weir
As an ecologically sensitive site the use of traditional hard engineered bank protection was not an option and Salix’s bioengineered designs were favoured.
AquaRockBag launch
Salix’s AquaRockBag is an ecologically sensitive method of erosion control. Working with natural processes to provide erosion control & habitat biodiversity
High Energy Inter Tidal Solution on the River Exe
Salix’s Ready-filled Rock Mattresses provided a solution to flood protection works needed on the River Exe. This quick and cheap approach provided a stable, nat…
The advantages of Salix Bioengineering Solutions V Blockstone on two Welsh Rivers – Case Study Evidence
Eight years on and vegetative erosion control is a massive success on the River Cleddau as an alternative to blockstone.
Flooding and erosion prevention in Sheffield
When a flashy stream was unearthed in Sheffield Salix were brought in as specialist experts in erosion management by the Wild Trout Trust. The Porter Brook was…
Flashy Floods in Car Park Solved
Rock Rolls and pre-planted Coir Rolls & Pallets were used to prevent erosion whilst creating a lovely habitat in Sheffield City centre where a culverted stream…
River Bank Erosion Management at Wisley Golf Course
Extreme river bank erosion rectified by regrading the river bank and using Coir Rolls and Coir Pallets, preventing erosion naturally
Bringing Biodiversity to Hydro Plant in Pershore
VMax C350 & Eronet are used on this hydro project to protect the inlet channel and surrounding soils from erosion, working with nature for natural solutions
Flood Alleviation at Tregaron
The aim of the project was to protect around 100 houses and businesses that had been subjected to increased flood threats. Constant flooding was a problem with…
Tough Green Alternatives to Hard Engineering
Contractors, Consultants and Researchers are praising our Rock Rolls and Rock Mattresses for their proven ability to offer sustainable cost effective solutions…
River Washford Roadwater Erosion Protection
The increasing frequency of flood events on the River Washford required the existing system to be replaced and improved.
Cwmparc River Restoration
Salix worked with Natural Resources Wales at Cwmparc in the Rhondda Valley to renaturalise the water courses in order to reduce flood risk and increase biodiver…
River Dulais, Rhosmaen Llandeilo
Salix’s River Dulais project demonstrating the use of large woody debris (LWD) is now ten years old and has been is included in the manual of River Restoration…
Bridging the Ecological and Engineering Gap
Bridging the ecological and engineering gap with our effective bio-engineering solutions
Turf Reinforcement Erosion Mats in CIWEM
Our Technical Director, David Holland, has been in the most recent edition of CIWEM’sThe Environment Magazine talking about the value of our 3D reinforced turf…
Erosion Control on Loch Garry Spillway
Tensar VMax P550 is designed for use as erosion control on steep slopes, high-flow channels, spillways, and shorelines.
Slowing the flow at Cwmparc
Cwmparc with the spider in action With funding from the Welsh Government’s Nature Fund, we supported Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in taking steps to naturalise one…
Darwen Bank Stabilisation
A 120 metre reach of river had been subject to ongoing bank instability issues. A gas pipeline set in the bank was dangerously close to being exposed and bank r…
River Rhiw Bank Protection
Salix were awarded the contract and began works to carry out 300 metres of riverbank protection to protect this existing exposed high pressure gas pipe in March…
Sandwich Flood Alleviation Scheme
The £21.7 million flood defence scheme involves works on 16 individual reaches of the River Stour and will reduce the risk of tidal flooding to 488 homes and 94…
Roadwater Erosion Protection
The River Washford runs through the village of Roadwater near Minehead, Somerset. The catchment creates a flashy river which floods parts of the village in larg…
10th Anniversary River Dulais Project
Live Willow Root Wad Installation Tenth Anniversary of Salix’s Project on The River Dulais, Rhosmaen, Llandeilo. Salix’s River Dulais project demonstrating the…
Tough Test on The Teme
The River Teme is a sensitive SSSI and SAC river and over 150 metres of severe bank erosion was threatening a National Grid pipeline. Salix were the lead Design…
Spillways Surge Ahead!
B5106 looking towards Llanrwst floods Salix have extensive experience of spillway protection offering advice to engineers involved in this area of expertise. Ou…
Rescuing the River Rhiw
The River Rhiw, Mid Wales was the scene of some rapid intervention by Salix’s Specialist Contracting team lead by Technical Director,David Holland. Our client W…
Afon Gwydol Embankment
Works were required to repair an eroding railway embankment adjacent to the river. This resulted in the embankment encroaching into the river, causing erosion p…
Rhodri Tames The Tywi!
We have been working hard on the River Tywi project and thanks to the efforts of our Site Agent Rhodri Henry (above image, on the right) work has progressed wel…
Balancing the Brooks!
Bank post flooding event showing no erosion or damage The saying “a picture paints a thousand words” could not be more accurately applied than to a current Sali…
Salix on the River Tywi
Client – Wales & West Utilities Salix have been awarded a design and build contract on the River Tywi in Carmarthen. Various bioengineering techniques will…
River Ecclesbourne
Client – Environment Agency Pilot scheme for catchment restoration of the River Ecclesbourne, that forms part of the Water Framework Directive aim to return riv…
River Ebbw Bank Stabilisation
Salix worked with consulting geotechnical engineers to provide design and build proposals to stabilise over 800 metres of steep riverbank composed of highly ero…
River Gwenfro
A private developer had back gardens adjacent to a river that when in flood created severe scour issues. Initial river modelling indicated flow velocities in ex…
River Pipeline Crossing
Salix were invited to submit a bioengineering solution to solve an erosion issue at a pipeline crossing in West Wales. The solution used a combination of locall…
Treboeth Cobble Channel
A new development had slope stability issues due to an adjacent cobble bed watercourse badly eroding the soils and downcutting the bed within the channel.
River Teme Restoration
The River Teme is a sensitive SSSI and SAC river and over 150 metres of severe bank erosion was threatening a National Grid pipeline.