More than 500 barriers removed in one year – the new European record!

A record year for river barrier removal in Europe!

In 2024, historical progress was recorded in river ecosystem restoration, with 542 barriers in 23 Europe countries removed. With this result, Europe broke its previous record from 2023, when 487 barriers were removed, the Dam Removal Europe (DRE) 2024 annual report states.

The importance of river barrier removal

River ecosystems in Europe face major challenges due to more than 1.2 million barriers, such as dams, weirs and pipes that fragment watercourses. Such structures disrupt natural water flow, prevent fish migration and adversely impact biodiversity. The removal of these outdated and often non-functioning structures facilitates the restoration of natural flow, the transport of sediment and nutrients and the return of life to rivers.

According to the report, the barrier removal in 2024 facilitated the reconnection of more than 2,900 km of rivers, which had an exceptionally positive impact on fish populations and other aquatic organisms. More than 65% of the obstacles removed were low in height (less than 2 m), which enabled a relatively simple and cost-effective implementation of works.

New regulations and significant steps

The EU Regulation on Nature Restoration, which entered into force on 18 August 2024, was a major boost to river ecosystem restoration. This Regulation set legally binding objectives, including the restoration of at least 25,000 km of rivers to a free-flowing state by 2030. This further strengthens the efforts to remove barriers all across Europe, the report states.

Croatia and the region – first steps towards river restoration

Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic and Turkey are among the countries that removed river barriers for the first time in 2024. Our region has thus joined the European movement for watercourse revitalisation, which creates new opportunities for ecological restoration and nature protection.

Positive examples and results

The removal of five barriers on the Giovenco River in Italy, which reconnected an 11 km section, was cited as one of the positive example in the report. For the first time in decades, the river is now free-flowing, which will enable the return of migratory fish and the restoration of the habitat.

In addition, the list was topped for the first time by Finland with at least 138 removed barriers, followed by France, Spain and Sweden.

Call to action

River barrier removal is a key step in the protection and restoration of natural values. Let us continue working together to conserve our rivers and streams and support barrier removal initiatives, thus ensuring a barrier-free life in European rivers.