River Restoration | Salix

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Rivers can suffer from erosion, flooding and habitat loss, leaving them unstable and unable to support healthy ecosystems.

Salix specialises in restoring rivers of all sizes, using soil bioengineering and soft engineering techniques to stabilise banks, control erosion, reduce flood risk and create thriving habitats. Our tailored nature-based solutions bring long-term benefits for communities, wildlife and the environment.

Products designed for River Restoration

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aqua Rock Bags®

Ecological AquaRockBags are tough revetments that can be used to protect assets in rivers, deep water and intertidal projects.

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...

Pre-filled Rock Rolls

Pre-filled Rock Rolls are a robust and permanent revetment for use around reservoirs, shorelines, lake edges, streams and river banks.

See our work in action...

Re-naturalising River Nairn

The River Nairn was restored to a natural meandering state, with embankments removed and large woody structures added, reconnecting it to its floodplain, enhancing biodiversity, improving fish populations, and re-establishing natural river processes for a resilient, low-carbon solution.

River Bank Erosion Management at Wisley Golf Course

At Wisley Golf Course, Salix regraded unstable riverbanks along the River Wey and installed pre-established Coir Rolls and Coir Pallets, combined with hydroseeding, to prevent erosion naturally. Strategic placement of local stone enhanced fish spawning habitat, creating resilient, ecologically valuable banks that have withstood major floods while improving aesthetics.

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.

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.

River Roding Enhancement

Inter-tidal riverbank works on the River Roding near the Barking Barrier used bioengineering methods such as brushwood fascines and brush mattresses to promote sediment build-up, enhance stability, and support habitat creation as part of an Environment Agency enhancement project.