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What Is Marine Piling and Why Is It Used?
Everything you need to know about marine and dock piling, from canal works to offshore engineering. Discover equipment types and expert contractor insights.

Ian
Oct 227 min read


What Is Pond Dredging and Why Is It Important?
Ponds are found throughout the UK, from small private ponds to soakaways on agricultural land. Maintaining a healthy and functional pond is important for preserving its purpose and supporting native species.

Ian
Oct 156 min read


A Guide to Marina Maintenance and Management
A marina might look calm on the surface, but behind the scenes there is always something to manage. From berth allocation and customer safety to dredging, repairs, and maintaining access, marinas are complex waterfront facilities that require constant attention.

Ian
Sep 224 min read


Canal Sink Hole: What Causes Canals to Collapse?
Canal sink holes are often behind these events. Water leakage, erosion, unstable geology, and historical underground workings combine to cause rapid water loss. The effects aren’t just immediate. They can ripple through the canal networks, triggering delays that can last weeks or even months.

Ian
Sep 225 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Marina Design: Everything You Need to Know
From strategic site analysis to infrastructure planning, a well-designed marina balances practicality with innovation, creating spaces that are safe, welcoming, and environmentally responsible. This comprehensive guide walks through the key steps involved in marina design and development, offering insights into the essential components of effective marina construction and operation.

Ian
Sep 105 min read


Marina Management: Best Practices to Boost Boater Experiences
This guide outlines the best practices for marina management, with a focus on customer-centric services, facility upgrades, digital integration, environmental stewardship, and safety measures that boost boater experiences.

Ian
Aug 315 min read


Preventing Siltation: Best Practices for River and Canal Sediment Management
Sediment is a natural part of healthy waterways. It carries nutrients downstream, supporting ecosystems before eventually reaching the sea. It only becomes a problem when excessive quantities accumulate faster than they can be transported away.

Ian
Aug 266 min read


What Does Dry Weather and Drought Mean for UK Canals and Waterways?
Learn how drought affects the UK’s canal network, from falling water levels and closures to wildlife risks, infrastructure damage, and water-saving measures.

Ian
Aug 205 min read


Top Marina Construction Tools You're Going to Need on Your Project
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top tools that are essential for marine construction projects, each contributing to the seamless execution of tasks within aquatic environments.

Ian
Aug 194 min read


Canal Bridge Maintenance: What’s Involved in Preserving Waterway Heritage?
Canal bridges are some of the defining spots along British waterways. While canals might only be around 200 years old, these feats of industrial-era engineering are monuments to the early industrial revolution. Made from local brick, stone, and clay, they require ongoing maintenance to keep them stable and secure.

Ian
Jul 235 min read


Polyurethane Grout vs Cementitious Grout: Which is Better?
Filling voids, sealing gaps, and stabilising structures, grout is used throughout any building project. We rely on it in many of our construction projects, from building retaining walls to repairing existing water infrastructure.

Ian
Jul 145 min read


Blue Green Algae Guide: Risks, Identification, and Prevention
Walk near your local river or canal, and you might see signs warning about blue-green algae in the water. As the weather gets warmer, canals, rivers, and reservoirs can become breeding grounds for this microscopic creature. This can be dangerous for both people and animals.

Ian
Jun 255 min read


River Trash Screens vs Boom Systems
When debris accumulates around culverts, stormwater channels, reservoirs, or flood defence assets, it can increase flood risk and damage infrastructure.
To tackle this problem, local authorities and private landowners often install trash screens or floating debris booms. These solutions help intercept debris before it reaches critical assets, protecting both infrastructure and the surrounding environment.

Ian
Jun 165 min read


Types of Bridge Repair and How Long They Take
Learn about the most common types of bridge repair, how long different repairs typically take, and the factors that affect bridge maintenance timelines and costs.

Ian
May 265 min read


The Top 5 Environmental Benefits of Coir Rolls for Erosion Control
Discover the environmental benefits of coir rolls for erosion control, including improved soil stability, habitat protection, and sustainable bank restoration.

Ian
May 124 min read


Ultimate Guide to Canal Lock Maintenance Tools
Discover the essential tools used in canal lock maintenance, from hand tools to hydraulic equipment. Learn how to prevent closures and keep locks fully operational.

Ian
Apr 225 min read


Common Reed Plant Species: Characteristics and Removal
Learn about common reed plants in the UK, including key species, characteristics, and when removal is needed.

Ian
Apr 145 min read


Marina Pier Construction Methods Explained
A marina provides a safe place to moor boats, typically located in a calm stretch of water sheltered from the open lake, river, or sea. But easy access to vessels within the marina is just as important, and that’s where marina piers come in.

Ian
Feb 245 min read


What is the Ecological Importance of Reed Beds?
Visit your local river or shoreline, and you’re almost guaranteed to find a reed bed. These tall verges of grasses and bulrushes often go unnoticed, blending quietly into the landscape. But they’re among the most important features of aquatic ecosystems, acting as biodiversity hotspots, capturing carbon, and protecting riverbanks from erosion.

Ian
Feb 124 min read


Who Built the UK Canals? A History of the British Canal System
Since Roman times, waterways have proved to be vital for transportation, irrigation, and travel, with the networks relied upon throughout the world. Here in the UK, canals have always played an important role in the economy, however it wasn’t until the late eighteenth century that the great age of canal building started when the Bridgewater Canal was constructed.

Ian
Feb 18 min read

News & Blog
Learn from the experts in British waterways with insights, advice, and examples of our work. Explore our case studies to see how The Rothen Group is transforming canals across the UK.
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