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In a significant step towards ecological restoration, Iceland has dismantled its first dam, located on the River Melsá, which had ceased generating power. This move comes amid a broader trend across Europe, where a record 602 river barriers were removed in 2025, marking an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The removals have reconnected approximately 2,324 miles (3,740 kilometers) of rivers, advancing the European Union’s goal of restoring 15,500 miles of waterways by 2030.
The pace of river barrier removals has accelerated dramatically, increasing sixfold since 2020, the year the first official count was recorded. Leading the continent in removals, Sweden took down 173 barriers, followed by Finland with 143 and Spain with 109. The UK contributed to these efforts by removing 35 barriers. Notably, more than 75 percent of the structures removed were under six and a half feet (two meters) tall, many of which were outdated and no longer served any economic purpose.
The ecological impact of these barriers has been profound. Dams and weirs disrupt fish migration, alter water temperature and flow, and prevent essential sediment from reaching downstream areas. Freshwater migratory fish populations in Europe have plummeted by 75 percent since 1970, largely due to the fragmentation caused by these structures. The EU’s new nature restoration law, effective from 2024, emphasizes the importance of barrier removal in reconnecting rivers and lakes across the continent.
However, restoring river connectivity presents challenges. Research indicates that while removing barriers can facilitate the movement of species, it can also allow invasive species to spread, creating a “connectivity conundrum.” Experts highlight the need for careful planning and long-term management to mitigate these risks.
Despite the progress, over one million barriers still fragment Europe’s waterways, with tens of thousands deemed obsolete. The ongoing effort to remove these barriers represents a crucial step toward restoring the natural flow and health of river ecosystems throughout the region.
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