Record 542 River Barriers Removed Across Europe as Free-Flowing Waters Return
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📰 The quick summary: Europe removed 542 river-blocking barriers in 2024, a record number that helps restore natural water flow and improves aquatic ecosystems across the continent.
📈 One key stat: Europe’s waterways are fragmented by 1.2 million barriers, contributing to a 75% decline in freshwater migratory fish population since 1970.
💬 One key quote: “Healthy, free-flowing rivers are central to adapting to the climate crisis and boosting biodiversity, but Europe’s rivers are the most fragmented in the world.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Europe achieved a new milestone in river restoration by dismantling 542 river-blocking structures in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year. For the first time, four countries – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, and Turkey – participated in barrier removal efforts. Finland led with 138 removals, followed by France with 128 and Spain with 96. These efforts are crucial as European waterways suffer from severe fragmentation with 1.2 million barriers disrupting natural river flows, many of which are outdated and no longer serve a purpose.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Free-flowing rivers are being restored across Europe, allowing aquatic life to move freely and ecosystems to recover naturally. The removal of these barriers helps reverse the alarming 75% decline in freshwater migratory fish populations observed since 1970. Rivers like Italy’s Giovenco can now run wild for the first time in decades, while critical habitats for endangered species like the pearl mussel are being protected through infrastructure improvements. These restoration projects support the EU’s commitment to restore 25,000km of rivers to free-flowing states by 2030, helping both biodiversity and climate resilience.
3️⃣ What’s next: EU member states must develop action plans by mid-2026 to meet targets for restoring rivers to free-flowing states. Future efforts will likely focus on removing the numerous small, obsolete barriers that make up 90% of removals. Conservation groups will continue working to compile more accurate data on barrier removals across Europe.
Read the full story here: The Guardian – Record number of river-blocking barriers removed in Europe, report says
