Many of the restoration techniques for small rivers are simple and cost-effective. Differences in depth, current speed and associated differences in substrate can be produced by installing weirs, dams and deflectors at appropriate angles in the channel. The weirs and dams can be made of concrete, gabions (wire boxes filled with small rocks), or with more natural materials such as logs or rocks. The dams can also recreate a degree of meander structure within the channel.

In smaller streams, submersible dams made of rocks, logs, sheet piling or concrete can restore pools and riffles. The dams are placed across the river and rely on the increased current to scour gravel downstream. Alternatively, gabions can be sunk into the river below the dam and covered with rocks. Dams are also used to anchor gravel placed artificially above the dam. Riffles are especially important for breeding by certain species of fish that deposit their eggs amongst the rocks, where they benefit from the flow of well-oxygenated water.

Small, shallow bays cut into the banks provide nursery areas for juvenile aquatic organisms.

Vegetation should be used wherever possible instead of hard engineering (e.g., construction using man-made materials). Trees and vegetation can stabilize banks and also provide shade and structure. Appropriately planted, they can also serve as deflectors. Riparian vegetation can also absorb much of the nutrients that seep into rivers through sub-surface flow, and as such are a means of controlling eutrophication.