Tag Archive for: #DamRemovalDay

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Once lagging behind Southeastern Europe is now seeing growing action to dismantle outdated dams, weirs, and culverts that fragment rivers, disrupt fish migration, degrade water quality and pose risk of failure.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.