In a victory for nature, greater than 2,300 miles of waterways have been reconnected in Europe final 12 months, as a document variety of dams have been eliminated throughout the continent.
A brand new report by Dam Removing Europe, an environmental group, discovered that 603 river limitations have been taken down throughout the continent final 12 months – up considerably on the 542 eliminated in 2024. Sweden led the best way, with 173 removals, adopted by Finland (143) and Spain (109). Iceland and Macedonia, in the meantime, pulled down their first river limitations.
In line with the report, the document breaking 12 months noticed Europe’s dam busters reconnect round 2,300 miles of waterways in 2025, enhancing river habitats and reopening migratory routes for fish.
Biodiversity positive factors have already been reported in some locations, together with alongside the River Dee in north Wales (pictured), the place sightings of sea lamprey nests have surged since Eribstock Weir was eliminated.
“Seeing these [nests] is genuinely thrilling,” mentioned Joel Rees-Jones, who led the venture. “By reconnecting habitats and eradicating limitations like Erbistock Weir, we’re giving iconic species resembling lamprey and Atlantic salmon a preventing probability to thrive.”
Nevertheless, obstacles stay. “With greater than 150,000 out of date limitations fragmenting European rivers, there’s nonetheless a variety of work to be performed,” mentioned Dam Removing Europe. “However momentum is de facto constructing.”
Picture: Christian Björling
