River Pinn Enhancement - Salix Solutions

Salix designed and constructed a stream enhancement project at a gas pipeline river crossing as ecological mitigation to a degraded reach of stream as part of a major pipeline project.

River restoration works

De Graded Reach Prior To Enhancement

Installation Of Coir Rolls & Pallets

5 River Pinn 6 Months Later

Degraded Reach Prior To Enhancement

Installation Of Coir Rolls & Pallets

Gravels Placed

River Pinn 6 Months Later

Salix designed and constructed a stream enhancement project at a gas pipeline river crossing as ecological mitigation to a degraded reach of stream as part of a major pipeline project.

Salix were asked by Main Contractor Murphy Pipelines to assess a degraded reach of the River Pinn near Ickenham with the goal of enhancing the reach.

The channel had been modified previously and was characterised by slow water flow, over deep and ponded with a silty bed and steep banks covered in nettles.

Salix designed and constructed a 40 metre enhanced channel and imported flint reject stone was used to create in-channel features, two riffles and a point bar. The gravel has concentrated the low flows and revived water flow in the reach.

Diverse marginal and bankside vegetation was established using mature pre-established Coir Rolls and Coir Pallets.

Locally harvested tree trunks were used to create a double flow deflector. Additionally, a large backwater was created on line and just downstream of the enhanced reach.

Products Used

Selection Of Unplanted and Pre-Established 200mm and 300mm Coir Rolls

Coir Rolls

Coir Rolls are an organic living revetment that provide erosion control and rapid vegetation establishment. Salix have developed a range of specific species mixes for use in all types of water bodies.

Purple Loosestrife flowering within pre-established coir pallets at Salix nursery

Coir Pallets

Salix produce a wide range of pre-established coir pallets planted with high quality native plant species. Coir pallets are composed from coir fibre which is a sustainable waste product from the husk of the coconut shell.

Bionet C125BN 100% Biodegradable blanket

Bionet C125BN

Bionet biodegradable erosion control blankets are designed to provide immediate erosion protection and vegetation establishment assistance, then degrade after the root and stem systems of the vegetation are mature enough to permanently stabilise the underlying soil.

Details

Client: Murphy Pipelines
Location: Ickenham
Canals & Lowland Rivers, Reedbeds & Wetlands, Rivers & Water Courses

Cross Sections

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Atkins has worked with Salix on a number of projects, collaborating on design concept, trialling and implementation. We have found their experience valuable in delivering cost effective and environmentally functional solutions.

Atkins

We invited Salix to re-landscape the watercourse through a design and build project. The works to the watercourse were completed within two weeks of starting on site and, despite a number of prolonged heavy rain events both during and after the works, the pre-established coir rolls and pallets all began putting on new growth within a matter of days providing the watercourse with instant channel vegetation and protection to the toe of the banks. The VMax reinforcement used to stabilise the slopes has also prevented any erosion to the sandy soil beneath and has allowed the rapid establishment of grass which wouldn’t have otherwise been possible.

South Ribble Council

HydraCX gave an immediate impression the embankment was grassed, making it more visually pleasing to our travelling customers. The rapidity of grass growth was exceptional and it added additional strength to the slope surface.

Network Rail

Excellent overall performance – very approachable and offered a good sustainable solutions to rectify a significant erosion scour to the river foreshore without comprising the existing flood defence. Carried out work to agreed timescale and budget. Certainly would value their future input.

Environment Agency, Leeds

We have worked with Salix on a number of projects throughout East Anglia over the last 6 years, and we have always found them to be highly professional and competent. We have used their services as suppliers of quality wetland plants, with a traceable provenance, and as contractors to both supply and plant the wetland plants. In addition we have always relied on the technical advice and knowledge of David Holland, in particular, to help answer queries from our clients regarding wetland planting schemes we have been involved in, this is an added value part of their service, for which we are grateful.

UPM Tilhill

We used HydraCX for the first time on a Network Rail project in Chipping Campden. We wanted to establish vegetation growth as quickly as possible on a slope with poor ground conditions without the need for importing topsoil due to possession time constraints. HydraCX provided an excellent growing medium for rapid germination.

Carillion Rail

Your staff are always friendly, knowledgeable and helpful and we have always been pleased with the service and the quality of the wetland plants and planting services. Technical knowledge on erosion control is also excellent. Keep up the good work!

Living Water Ecosystems Ltd