Canals & Lowland Rivers | Salix

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Canals and lowland rivers often face challenges such as bank erosion, silt build-up and damage caused by fluctuating water levels or boat traffic. Left unchecked, these issues can lead to instability, reduced water quality and costly maintenance.

Salix provides nature-based solutions to protect and enhance canals and riverbanks. Using a combination of erosion control systems, bank reinforcement and habitat friendly planting, we help stabilise waterways while supporting biodiversity and long-term resilience.

Our approach balances the need for durable protection with a focus on natural processes, ensuring canals and rivers remain secure, sustainable and fit for the future.

Products suitable for Canals & Lowland Rivers

All Products+

Pre-established 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.

Pre-established 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.

Brushwood Fascines

Salix produce a range of brushwood fascines for use in rivers, canals and lakes. We use brushwood from sustainable sources and can supply various timber types including Ash, Hazel and Willow.

Made from our sustainably sourced coir, this is an ideal erosion control mat for areas which require 100% bio-degradable interventions whilst still providing erosion control in high velocity situations.

Salix’s CocoNet 800 is manufactured from ethical and sustainably sourced coir fibre, a by-product of the coconut industry.

Bionet C125BN laid out on bank

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.

croxton june

Salix are the largest grower of native wetland plants in the UK – perfect for use in green infrastructure, peatland restoration, wetland creation and other habitat projects.

See our work in action...

Protecting a Pipeline in Carmarthen

An exposed pipeline in the River Johnstown was stabilised by dewatering and relocating it, with Salix using rock rolls, erosion-control coir matting, and pre-planted coir rolls to protect the riverbanks from scour and erosion.

River Washburn Restoration

Salix, using their innovative Menzi Muck Spider machine, worked with Yorkshire Water to restore habitats and improve water quality downstream of Swinsty Reservoir on the River Washburn.

Naturalising Norfolk’s Chalk Rivers

Salix worked with the Norfolk Rivers Trust to restore chalk rivers, improving flow, habitat diversity, and biodiversity on the River Babingley and River Nar through weir modifications, channel re-grading, and the addition of timber and gravel features for fish, invertebrates, and riparian wildlife.

Foss Dyke Bank Stabilisation

An innovative vegetative revetment using brushwood and pre-established coir rolls was installed along the River Foss to combat severe boat wash erosion, providing a cost-effective, sustainable solution that stabilised the banks and enhanced wildlife habitat.

Pembroke Commons

A 1 km stream in historic Pembroke was transformed from a concrete channel into a sinuous, bioengineered watercourse using coir rolls, coir pallets, Bionet C125BN, and wildflower seeding, enhancing flood protection, biodiversity, and the town’s landscape.

River Pinn Enhancement

Salix enhanced a 40m section of the River Pinn, adding riffles, a point bar, flow deflectors, and pre-established Coir Rolls and Pallets to restore water flow and habitat.

River Thaw Enhancement

Salix worked with Environment Agency Wales to restore a 100 m reach of the River Thaw degraded by overgrazing and cattle poaching. By installing and backfilling Coir Rolls to narrow the over-widened channel, flow conditions and habitat quality were improved, enabling vegetation recovery and effective bank erosion control.

Soham Lode Re-visited

Salix restored 600 m of re-lined embankment at Soham Lode using Coir Rolls and brushwood fascines to stabilise slopes and re-establish vegetation, creating valuable habitat where water voles rapidly returned.