Europe Is Dismantling Its Dams at a Record-Breaking Rate – And It’s Saving Rivers

Positive news for fish and other wildlife as 2023 was another record-breaking year for removing dams, weirs and other river barriers, freeing Europe’s rivers and restoring healthy habitats.

Hordes of fish across Europe are enjoying their newfound freedom, as 2023 was another record-breaking year for the removal of dams, weirs, culverts and other river barriers across the continent.

487 barriers were removed, according to the annual report from Dam Removal Europe (DRE), up from 325 in 2022, a 49.8% increase.

In total, 4300 kilometres of river habitat were reconnected, allowing rivers to flow freely and migratory fish to reach breeding areas, as well as dispersing sediments and nutrients to restore healthy habitats.

“Dams, weirs and other barriers block river flow, sediment flow, nutrient flow and the movement of animals, like fish and water insects,” says Herman Wanningen, director of World Fish Migration Foundation (WFMF) and founder of Dam Removals Europe.

“The river system and all its ecological functions are altered by these human-made structures. A river that doesn’t flow and which isn’t connected has low biodiversity and is slowly dying.