Business Details
40 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Hydraulic Erosion Protection Solutions
Hesselberg Hydro has been pioneering hydraulic asphalt engineering since 1986, delivering critical infrastructure solutions across the UK and beyond. Our expertise lies in protecting dams, reservoirs, coasts, rivers, ports, and offshore assets through innovative asphalt systems that combine technical precision with sustainability. We provide end-to-end services from feasibility studies to long-term maintenance, ensuring resilience against flooding, erosion, and hydraulic failure. Trusted by the Environment Agency and major infrastructure partners, our solutions reduce embodied carbon by up to 75% compared to concrete while maintaining strength and longevity.With decades of proven performance, including 28 years of zero-maintenance success at Megget Reservoir, we offer tailored systems that adapt to settlement and flow with minimal upkeep. Our commitment to quality assurance, safety, and environmental management is embedded across all projects, delivering compliance and peace of mind for clients and regulators. By continuously innovating materials like Marine Mastic Granules, we set industry standards for offshore pipeline protection. Our team of specialists ensures rapid installation, even underwater, with 3x faster project completion times than traditional methods.
Services
Erosion Protection
Reservoir Lining
Rock Reinforcement
Subsea Impact Protection
Flood Defence Systems
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer over 35 years of expertise in hydraulic asphalt engineering since 1986
- Our systems install 3x faster than concrete, reducing project disruption
- We deliver 75% lower embodied carbon compared to conventional concrete protection
- Our solutions have proven 28-year zero-maintenance performance at Megget Reservoir
- We provide 24/7 engineer support for urgent coastal and infrastructure protection needs
What people say
Essential for flood risk management
Sustainable flood defence system
Robust long-term solution
Proven performance in extreme conditions
Reduced maintenance burden
Services
Erosion Protection
Engineered asphalt systems stabilise riverbanks, estuaries, and coasts against erosion. Flexible and durable, they resist fast flows and wave energy to safeguard assets from long-term degradation. Proven in flows up to 8.5 m/s and 6m waves.
Reservoir Lining
Hydraulic linings for dams and spillways provide drinking water-safe protection. These systems reduce leakage while extending service life through impermeable asphalt barriers with 28+ years of zero-maintenance performance.
Rock Reinforcement
Grouted rock systems bind armour stone to reinforce coastal defences. This reduces required rock size by 50% while upgrading protection against high wave loads and tidal scour in port and river structures.
Subsea Protection
Specialist asphalt mattresses protect subsea pipelines and cables from anchors and rock dumping. Rapid installation with reduced diver time improves safety in offshore corridors and harbour environments.
Flood Defences
Asphalt-filled geomats provide flexible flood storage protection that combines vegetation growth with erosion control. These systems cut embodied carbon by 75% compared to concrete while withstanding extreme hydraulic conditions.
People
James Mason
Operations Manager
Overseeing coastal protection projects including Canvey Island revetment, ensuring flood risk management for thousands of homes and businesses.
Allan Shaw
Engineering Design Manager
Specialising in hydraulic defence solutions with European sea defence experience, implementing robust long-term systems for critical infrastructure.
Paul Mitchelmore
Project Manager
Leading sustainable flood defence upgrades that preserve environmental qualities while extending infrastructure lifespan for future generations.
Questions
Can asphalt systems be installed underwater?
Yes. Lean Sand Asphalt and Open Stone Asphalt can be placed underwater for scour protection and subsea works.
How long do asphalt systems last in practice?
Projects like Megget Dam show over 25 years of maintenance-free performance with proper design.
How does asphalt compare to concrete?
Asphalt systems install 2-3x faster, resist cracking from settlement, and have 75% less embodied carbon.
What flow and wave conditions can asphalt withstand?
Tested systems resist flows up to 8.5 m/s and waves up to 6m in extreme coastal conditions.
What maintenance is required?
Minimal maintenance with periodic inspections; localized repairs can be made without large-scale removal.
