FREE-FLOWING FUTURE: DAM REMOVAL ACTIONS SURGE ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE

Once lagging behind Southeastern Europe is now seeing growing action to dismantle outdated dams, weirs, and culverts that fragment rivers, disrupt fish migration, degrade water quality and pose risk of failure. A new report reveals that river restoration through barrier removal—a critical tool to revive Europe’s freshwater ecosystems—is gaining unprecedented traction in Southeastern Europe (Figure 1). The breakthrough comes as EU Member States prepare their National Restoration Plans under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which requires 25000 km of rivers to be restored to free-flowing conditions by 2030.

The Southeastern Europe Barrier Removal Movement Progress Report 2024–2025, documents 135 activities, including 33 barrier removals across seven countries in just 18 months, signaling a turning point for a region long behind the rest of Europe in reconnecting its rivers. The activities presented in the report were classified into: (1) those contributing to scaling up the implementation of barrier removal (e.g., seminars, stakeholder engagement, knowledge dissemination, efforts to influence policy and legislation), (2) the preparatory works (e.g., barrier mapping and assessment, and hydrological, archaeological, etc. surveys), and (3) the actual barrier removals (Figure 1).

 

Restoration Success Stories 

  • Croatia: Eight obsolete barriers were removed, the first ever in the country, at Plitvice Lakes National Park reconnecting 7.6 km of river and restoring habitat for the endangered Danube trout (Figure 2).
  • Italy: Five barriers on the Giovenco River were removed, reopening 11 km of free-flowing river and revitalizing local wildlife and ecotourism (Figure 3).
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina: Multiple barriers (n=9) were dismantled for the first time in the country, at Hutovo Blato Nature Park and thus 2.5 km were restored for critical fish migration routes and important endemic species.
  • Slovakia: Removal of five barriers in the region of the original channel of the Danube reconnected a vital side arm, boosting biodiversity, flood protection & ecosystem resilience.

“Southeastern Europe holds some of Europe’s most ecologically valuable rivers, yet they remain heavily fragmented. With the EU Nature Restoration Regulation now in force, there has never been a better moment to scale up barrier removals, unlock funding, and prioritize free-flowing rivers as natural solutions to biodiversity loss and climate impacts.” said Jelle de Jong, CEO WWF-Netherlands

 A Call to Action

Despite this progress, less than 1% of all barrier removals in Europe to date have taken place in Southeastern Europe. Extra support is needed to assist the launch of pilot projects, to promote awareness about the benefits of free-flowing rivers, to create networks for practitioners to exchange methods and lessons learned, and to shift existing policies that will enable the implementation of this practice.

 

More info :

Read the SEE Progress Report 2024-2025

Read full press release

 

 

Dam Removal Day: celebrate free flowing rivers: 2 new factsheets to understand dam and weir removals

“On Dam Removal Day, 8 October 2025, NGOs in France and Europe reaffirm their commitment to restoring waterways and removing obsolete artificial barriers. More than 1.2 million structures block the free flow of European rivers and weaken the biodiversity and resilience of aquatic ecosystems. It is estimated that more than 200,000 of these structures are unused, abandoned or obsolete. Most are small structures less than 3 metres high, such as sluice gates, weirs and culverts, which bear witness to past uses. Their cumulative impact on biodiversity and the functioning of watercourses is significant. These obstacles isolate vulnerable freshwater species already weakened by the effects of climate change, impact fish migration, and promote the deposition of fine sediments that clog the riverbed upstream of the structures, etc.”

(read press release , in french only)

To reaffirm the advantages of removing obsolete structures that have a significant impact, ERN has published two fact sheets on experiences of removal in France:

– Removal of large dams on the Sélune, 4 pages, May 2025, ERN (french only)

For over a century, the Vezins and La Roche-qui-Boit dams interrupted the natural course of the river. Their removal allowed the Sélune to return to its original bed and natural dynamics. The result of many years of debate and scientific studies, this project restored ecological continuity and improved water quality throughout the watershed. Supported by numerous organisations, it will be scientifically monitored until 2027.

The initial results are already very promising. Atlantic salmon, European eels and sea lampreys have returned, natural sediment transport has resumed and biodiversity is increasing.

– Removal of the Rhodes Bridge weir, 4 pages, May 2025, ERN (french only):

This document summarises the main stages and challenges of the project to remove the Rhodes Bridge weir, which has reconnected nearly 29 km of free-flowing rivers, benefiting local biodiversity and the quality of aquatic environments.

Vidéos and cases sutides on youtube chanel : Rivières Vivantes – Laisser Couler – YouTube

What events are planned for Dam Removal Day ?

On October 8th, Europe will come together to celebrate Dam Removal Day, a day to honour the power of free-flowing rivers and the growing movement to remove obsolete barriers.

Before Dam Removal Day, a new short film calls governmental authorities, barrier owners, practitioners and the general public to take action and restore river connectivity. Watch the video on Dam Removal Europe YouTube channel

Participate in or follow the events taking place around 8 October :

  • 8 of October : DRD Café (15:00–16:00 CEST), an online gathering where stories from across Europe come to life. Hear live interviews from inspiring events, share in the excitement of communities taking action, and connect with a passionate network of people who care deeply about rivers.
  • from 17 to 19 October : Field trip on Lignon river basin organised by ERN (more info & registration) : From its source to its confluence with the Loire, 85 km, including more than 30 km of hiking in the most picturesque parts of the basin. During these three days, accompanied by river experts, we will visit and present emblematic sites in the basin, including barriers that have been removed, such as the one in Fay-sur-Lignon,removed in 2015, as well as the area of villages submerged by a large dam in 1910. This trip, which includes accommodation and a social evening, will provide an opportunity to consider how we manage water resources in a world where the benchmarks and solutions must necessarily evolve.

Take a look at the events map to find something close to you. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something bigger, something meaningful. Every action, big or small, helps highlight the importance of restoring rivers and bringing life back.

logo Living Rivers Europe

Living Rivers Europe recommendations to foster the implementation of the Water Framework Directive

Lobbies from the business, agriculture, and mining sectors – and even some Member States – are actively trying to weaken EU water laws.

They argue these laws are too costly, hinder economic activity, and complicate permitting processes.

These claims are unfounded and put the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in jeopardy.

We’re urging Commissioner Jessika Roswall to safeguard the EU water acquis and reject ANY attempt to include the WFD in the upcoming simplification Omnibus package!

Europe’s water security depends on a fragile hydrological cycle – already destabilised by pollution, land use, over-abstraction, and climate change.

Protecting water means access to safe drinking water, safe rivers and healthy food production.

Strong water laws are essential. Weakening them is simply NOT an option.

Read the letter

logo Living Rivers Europe

EU Water Framework Directive: A modern and powerful tool to provide clean, healthy, flowing waters

This summer, the Living Rivers Europe coalition published a new report emphasising that 2027 does not mark the end of the WFD. The directive will remain fully in force beyond that date. The report explains why and how Member States must continue to comply with their fundamental legal obligations.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD), adopted in 2000, is the legal basis for freshwater protection. It requires all Member States to achieve good status for water bodies by 2027 – a target that is far from being met. Today, only 39.5% of surface waters are in good ecological condition. This weighs heavily on the state of ecosystems and their resilience to climate change.

At the same time, climate impacts, pollution and economic risks are increasing. According to the World Economic Forum, five of the top ten global business risks are now water-related.

Also identified as a cornerstone of the EU’s water resilience strategy, the coming years will be decisive. Faced with the growing water crisis in Europe, which is resulting in reduced access to drinking water, drying rivers, floods, droughts and pollution, existing European water legislation must be fully implemented.

The WFD provides the legal tools needed to address these risks: pollution control, abstraction permits, ecological flow standards, etc.

Download report


13 myths about WFD 

The Living Rivers Europe coalition brings together six major environmental and fishing organisations: WWF’s European network, the European Anglers Alliance, European Environmental Bureau, European Rivers Network, Wetlands International Europe, and The Nature Conservancy, representing more than 40 million people.

8 October is Dam Removal Day: register your events

8 October 2025 will mark the very first Dam Removal Day.
Across Europe, visits and meetings will highlight the same message: free rivers bring life back.

Everyone can get involved: organise an event, share a local story, spread the word on social media.

👉 Register your action atdamremoval.eu/dam-removal-day

Open Rivers Programme : upcoming work in France and new call for applications starting 6 October

After the summer break, restoration work on the Laussonne (43), the Eyrieux (07) and Malencourie (24) rivers will begin this autumn.

The aim of this work is to ensure the continuity of the river and reconnect several kilometres upstream, increasing access to refuge areas and restoring the white-water habitats needed by sensitive species that inhabit these environments, such as trout, white-clawed crayfish and pearl mussels. Follow the progress of the work on the dedicated page

These projects were submitted by the European Rivers Network to the Open Rivers Programme for co-financing.

During the last application cycle, ERN received support for the Malencourie project aimed at removing an old reservoir and the Clain project for the removal of seven small structures on the upper Boivre, bringing the number of projects supported by the association (studies and works) to 15. During the last cycle, at least three other projects in France, led by fishing federations or unions, received support from the Open Rivers Programme: more info

The programme’s next call for projects will be open from 6 October 2025 to 31 October 2025 (decision in March 2026). Contact us for more information or to help you apply.

SAVE the DATE and REGISTRATION OPEN : Webinar on Open Rivers Programme : lessons learnt and best practices in Southeastern Europe

The next call for Open rivers Programme* applications is coming soon (from the 6th to the 31st of October 2025).

 

Need ideas and advice to prepare your projects and activities, or you just want to know more about Dam Removal in Southeastern Europe ?

Join our webinar on September 23, 2025 from 11:00 to 13:00 CEST. Organized by ERN and WWF NL, the webinar will highlight 3 successful projects completed and implemented in Eastern Europe.  We’ll have 3 presentations from different ORP grant categories. Speakers will present their project as well as lessons learnt and best practices, and it will be followed by a Q&A session :

Introduce, and moderate by Corinne Ronot ERN and Kerry Brink, WWF Nl

Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GBqXlSOeQZKO_YuY47vYiA

 

 

* The European Open Rivers Programme is a Dutch grant giving foundation funded by Arcadia. The foundation aims to restore endangered European rivers by supporting interventions that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity.

Tribute to Jean Wencker

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of Jean Wencker in August 2025.

Jean Wencker devoted much of his life to protecting the environment and restoring aquatic habitats. As former president and then vice-president of Alsace Nature, he represented the association in numerous bodies: the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR), the Rhine-Meuse Basin Committee, the Saumon-Rhin association, and the Salmoncomeback NGO coalition, which is committed to bringing salmon back to Basel.

During his various terms of office, he tirelessly defended the ecological continuity of waterways, the protection of the Doubs and Rhine rivers, and the return of migratory fish, particularly salmon. He grew up on the banks of the Rhine, which shaped his commitment. In 2015, during a conference in Huningue, he emotionally shared memories of his father bringing salmon home and spoke of the devastation of the alluvial forests for the construction of dams in Strasbourg and Gerstheim, a major ecological disaster. Among his successes was the renovation of the Franco-Swiss Châtelot hydroelectric power station on the Doubs, inaugurated in 2006 after more than thirty years of struggle.

ERN and the Salmoncomeback coalition pay tribute to his career and his struggles. May they continue to inspire all those who work to protect life. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

Read also the tribute by Alsace Nature.

Jean Wencker lors du colloque international Salmon Summit à Huningue en 2015 – CR .ERN

💧 EU Water Pollution Standards: Time to Act 💧

EU representatives were due to reach an agreement on updating water pollution standards on 15 July, but negotiations have once again been postponed until 23 September.

We’re nearing 3 years since the European Commission proposed long-overdue updates to regulate pharmaceuticals, more pesticides, and PFAS in surface and groundwater. This delay is becoming something of a record… 

These #RulesToProtect would rightly require Member States to monitor and act on these substances to urgently protect both people’s health and precious ecosystems on which we all depend.

Meanwhile, alarming reports continue to surface:

🧪 Toxic industrial discharges into rivers

💩 Raw sewage spreading antimicrobial resistance

🚱 Pesticides contaminating drinking water

 

As scientists did a few months earlier, a broad coalition of environmental and health organisations, healthcare professionals, social partners, recreational fishing associations, and water-dependent businesses is calling on the @Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025, which kicked off in July, to conclude the negotiations without delay.

We urging the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU to oppose attempts by some states to lower the ambition of the text and to take a position against an extension of the transition period or the introduction of new exemptions to the Water Framework Directive.

We must uphold ambition, adopt strong new quality standards, and legally ensure that Member States include targeted measures in the next River Basin Management Plans (2028–2033).

The health of Europe’s water – and its people – can’t wait 🌍

read the letter