Salix were brought in to help with a sensitive erosion problem on a reservoir shoreline in North London. Ecologically sensitive solutions were used which will create habitats and improve amenity value.
Salix were brought in to help with a sensitive erosion problem on a reservoir spillway in North London.
The reservoir, which has a crest length of around 2,670 m is impounded behind an earth fill embankment dam which has a puddle clay core at its centre.
Over much of the inner embankment face, the inner face is initially grassed and slopes at around 1v on 4h between the dam crest and the coping to the curved concrete wave wall. Below the concrete wave wall the embankment face slopes at around 1v 4h and is protected by a combination of concrete slabbing and concrete slabbing overlain with Open Stone Asphalt.
A combination of Rock Mattresses and VMax C350 were used to create a strong revetment whilst providing habitats for wildlife.
Embankment protection was required together with crest road enhancement.
Along the western side of the reservoir over 700m of the internal face of the embankment is unprotected and was suffering from wind wave erosion along its length.
The erosion had formed a noticeable notch at around top water level with a series of inlets and shallow beaches in a number of locations.
The solution chosen was to reprofile the inner face along this length of the embankment and then protect the surface by the placement of ready filled Rock Mattresses with Vmax C350 installed above.
Products Used
Pre-filled Rock Mattresses
Rock Mattresses are a robust and permanent revetment for use around reservoirs, shorelines, lake edges, streams and river banks. They are cost-effective revetments that are suitable alternatives to rock rip rap and gabions…
VMax³ C350
VmaxC350 is a permanent Turf Reinforcement for reinforcing soils. The VmaxC350 incorporates a coir fibre layer to provide instant erosion protection, whilst the three-dimensional grid provides significant long-term protection.
Native Plants
Salix are the UK’s largest grower of native wetland and wildflowering plants in the UK – perfect for use in green infrastructure, peatland restoration, wetland restoration and creation and other habitat projects In response to demand for a wider range of species for specific habitat types we have developed a range of plug grown species for three key habitats: Salt marsh, Sand dunes & Moorlands. Wetland Plants Salt Marsh Moorlands Sand Dunes Salix are the largest grower of native wetland plants in the UK. Salix wetland nurseries have been designed and built specifically for commercially growing native wetland plants for supply
