Open Rivers programme funds the removal of small barriers in Europe : Apply before January 5, 2022

1 million barriers fragment Europe’s rivers, contributing to the decline of biodiversity and the deterioration of water quality. The AMBER EU project has revealed that the barriers less than 2 m high represent 68% of all the barriers in Europe, and that their removal is more effective environmentally and better accepted by the population than the removal of large barriers.

The Arcadia Foundation is involved in river restoration based on the AMBER EU study. To this end, the Open Rivers programme was created in October 2021 and will fund numerous small-scale barrier removal projects in Europe until 2023. ERN is involved in the programme as a member of the “Dam Removal Europe” network, which is among the managers of the programme.

The 1st application round is open from November 19, 2021 to January 5, 2022. The funding will be allocated in priority to removal works but also to complementary actions such as studies. To be eligible to funding, organisations must be of general interest (local communities, researchers …). The criteria and procedure for applying are presented on the Open rivers website, as well as the guide for applicants and the application platform. Among the main selection criteria, barriers must be less than 2 m high ; the removal works must be completed after one year; the ecological gains are significant and the local managers approve the project.

ERN is directly involved in the program by disseminating information, by following the proposals and the selected projects in France and by providing support to applicants. If you want advice or support to submit your application, contact us: emma.liberati(at)rivernet.org / 04 71 05 57 88

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OpenRivers : New Call for Expressions of Interest – deadline for new submissions – 8th July 2022

Call for Expressions of Interest – deadline for new submissions – 8th July 2022

 

The European Open Rivers Programme is inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) for project submissions for dam removal preparatory and demolition projects that fall under grant categories A and B. The EoI must be submitted online via the programme’s Grant Management System by 17:00 CET on 8th July 2022.

For more information about the application eligibility criteria, grant types, application process and guidelines, and how applications will be assessed, please visit our Application Resources webpage.

ERN (European Rivers Network) is coordinating and supporting all applys from France and french speaking regions. Contact us : contact@erninfo.net

World Fish Migration Day – Exceptional visit of the “New Poutès” in France

On the occasion of the World Migratory Fish Day, of which ERN is an official partner, SOS Loire Vivante organizes in cooperation with EDF two guided tours of the “Nouveau Poutès” dam.

Indeed, in the Haut Allier, the works at the Poutès dam are now completed! Since the end of 2021, the dam is reconfigured to allow the free circulation of the last wild salmon populations during 3 months per year while maintaining about 85% of the hydroelectricity production.

To know MORE about the World Migratory Fish Day

Become aware of the relationship between humans and fish

Freshwater fish are the emblems of living rivers, indicators of good quality of the environment and vector of the development of sustainable activities on the territories. 15,000 species of freshwater fish and more particularly the 1,100 species of migratory fish are in danger. They no longer travel freely because of the numerous developments carried out on our rivers over the last few centuries (dams, weirs, etc.). To accomplish their migration, which is essential for their complete life cycle, they are now dependent on our policies and our commitments to restore and protect our rivers.More info on https://worldfishmigrationday.com/ but also Twitter, Facebook, Insta

 

Everything that happens in our lives is found in our rivers

Emma Haziza, hydrologist on France inter: “Everything that happens in our lives is found in our rivers”

Finally global information on water and rivers, far from the usual dogmatism and shortcuts … 22 exciting minutes that show without ambiguity that the 6th planetary limit is crossed: that of water with the degradation of its quality and shortages just about everywhere, including in France!

To see this interview again, click here !

Emma Haziza is not at her first interview, in 2020 she was already on France inter. Did you know that agricultural consumption can account for 80% of water use in France in summer? To know more about it, it’s here.

 

 

7th Dam Removal Europe seminar

ANP|WWF Portugal, World Fish Migration Foundation, Wetlands International and The Nature Conservancy invite you to the 7th Dam Removal Europe seminar, an event that will be held, for the first time, in Lisbon, Portugal, where the dam removal process is starting.

This time, the objective is to increase the general commitment and know-how on dam removal, to make it as effective as possible and to initiate new funding mechanisms and policy changes. Speakers from Europe and beyond will share their best practices.

The event will consist of a two-day conference and a third day devoted to a field trip to a river restoration site. The seminar is part of the global celebrations of World Fish Migration Day and one of the highlights will be the Portuguese premiere of the documentary DAMBUSTERS.

ERN, official partner, will participate in the event with a live broadcast on the Romanche river where Roberto Epple, president of the association, will present the destruction of 4 dams on this river.

You will meet river basin authorities, ministries, mayors, political decision makers, European project managers, water agencies, companies, engineers, researchers, students, social experts and the public interested in free flowing rivers.

To register and access the program, click here!

 

 

Visit of the “Nouveau Poutès” dam organized by SOS Loire Vivante on May 21

On the occasion of the World Migratory Fish Day on May 21, SOS Loire vivante and EDF invite you to explore this exemplary site.
After many years of partial leveling and reconfiguration work, the result of our struggle, the site is now finished. By opening two huge gates, it allows migratory fish to pass through for 3 months a year, the rest of the year the water is turbined while respecting a minimum flow of 5m3/s for the Allier between Poutès and Monistrol d’Allier.
Reserve your place as soon as possible

France : “Nouveau Poutès dam” : observation of the lenght of the reservoir

> Watch the ERN Video “Overflight of the Allier River upstream of the Poutès dam” 

Only since the second week of March it has been possible to turbine. Indeed, since the closing of the gates, the Allier had never exceeded the reserved flow (5m3/sec). According to EDF, the operating tests were positive.

On March 15, with a total flow of 15m3/sec, we were able to observe the creation of a reservoir over a few hundred meters. Further upstream, the Allier, deeper than in the ‘transparency’ mode of the dam over a few hundred meters, remained in its former minor bed with a good current favorable to migration.

On Thursday March 24th, this time with a total flow of the Allier of 10M3/sec, SOS Loire Vivante – ERN  flew over the site at high altitude with a drone to better observe the evolution of the bed and the water retention area. In addition, with the authorization of EDF, we flew at low altitude as close as possible to the dam and the water intake. The observations of March 15 were confirmed.

> Watch the ERN Video “Overflight of the Allier River upstream of the Poutès dam” 

Loire, Terre Sauvage a magnificent documentary film with powerful messages

A movie not to be missed!

The premiere in St Nazaire was a success. The film, centered on the Loire River between Angers and the estuary, conveys great messages with breathtaking images of animals and landscapes: the observation of pollution and the dramatic loss of biodiversity, the interactions and interdependence between nature and human activities, the actions that are being taken. This was followed by a rich exchange of more than 1 hour with the 80 people present, the producer, the director, the director of the programs of France 3 Pays de la Loire, our association and many associations present.

To see it : Go on France 3 Pays de la Loire Thursday, March 17 at 23:15 and then in replay afterwards for 30 days.

As a partner of the film, SOS Loire Vivante can also help you to organize a screening at home….

The film is only in French.

Join the International Day of Action for Rivers! March 14, 2022

The International Day of Action for Rivers cofounded by IR, ERN and others is a day dedicated to solidarity – when diverse communities around the world come together with one voice to say that rivers matter. That communities having access to clean and flowing water matters. That everyone should have a say in decisions that affect their water and their lives. That it’s our time to stand up for these rights, now more than ever.

We’re celebrating the 25th Anniversary of this Day for Rivers by also highlighting the importance of Rivers to Biodiversity.

> More information

May 21, 2022 is World Migratory Fish Day !

May 21, 2022 is World Migratory Fish Day !

Organized every two years by the World Fish Migration Foundation, this day honors free-flowing rivers and migratory fish, which are often threatened. This day, many organizations around the world organize events on the theme “Reconnecting fish, rivers and people”. Already 95 events open to the public are registered, and it is not over.

> Check out the events

> Any association or individual can get involved and register an event.
Organize an event

> Take part in the actions organized by SOS Loire Vivante / ERN:
Virtual visit of the “New Poutès” dam completely reconfigured for salmon migration.

The location of the dam on the upper Allier river is of crucial importance: it determines the access of the salmon to the best spawning areas for the Loire-Allier strain of salmon, a unique strain able to migrate over long distances!

SOS Loire Vivante / ERN will organize a visit to the “new Poutès” dam and will record the visit and conduct interviews on site.

Other actions are being organized by SOS Loire Vivante.

 

> Website of the world fish migration day