The European Open Rivers Programme has reached a key milestone in its ongoing effort to reconnect fragmented waterways, announcing the removal of its 100th river barrier earlier this month. The milestone highlights growing investment in restoring river connectivity and supporting sustainable water management across Europe.
Since its launch, the Open Rivers Programme has funded the removal of 104 small-scale barriers, reconnecting nearly 1,500km of river habitat across 18 countries. Many of these structures are disused or obsolete, offering limited economic or safety value but constraining sediment flow, fish passage, and river resilience.
The latest removal took place in northern Sweden’s Vindelälven catchment, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Natura 2000 site. Here, Rewilding Sweden, supported by the Open Rivers Programme, dismantled three small dams – part of a five-barrier removal initiative that will ultimately reopen over 112km of connected river system.
Jack Foxall, Executive Director of the Open Rivers Programme, noted: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone and are thankful to the dedication of the organisations and individuals that are working tirelessly to restore Europe’s degraded river systems. We will support additional projects and enable many more dam removals in the coming years so that the ecological functioning is restored in more rivers across Europe.”
The milestone reflects a broader European trend: a record 542 barriers were removed in 2024, according to the latest data, as authorities, engineers, and conservation groups collaborate to modernize river systems. Of these, 60 projects received Open Rivers Programme support.
While dam removal has often been viewed through an ecological lens, engineers and policymakers increasingly see it as part of a strategic approach to water infrastructure renewal. Many of the barriers being removed are ageing weirs, mill dams, or legacy structures that pose maintenance challenges or safety risks. Their removal can improve hydraulic efficiency, restore sediment continuity, and reduce long-term management costs.
These efforts also align with the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which sets targets to reconnect 25,000km of free-flowing rivers. The initiative supports the EU’s wider climate adaptation goals by improving natural flood management and water storage capacity.
Still, challenges remain. Europe’s river networks are among the most fragmented globally, with an estimated one million barriers – from large hydropower dams to minor fords and culverts – interrupting flows. A study under the EU-funded AMBER project found an average of one barrier every 1.35km, underscoring the scale of the task ahead.
Pao Fernández Garrido, Senior Grants Manager at the Open Rivers Programme, said: “If governments are serious about meeting the Water Framework Directive and Nature Restoration Regulation targets, removing abandoned barriers must be prioritised in environmental agendas at national, regional and local levels. Every delay in policy action is a missed opportunity to safeguard rivers and people alike.”
Funded by Arcadia, the Open Rivers Programme has supported 176 projects led by 91 organisations in 32 European countries, awarding €13.9 million in grants. The programme continues to invite public and non-profit bodies to apply for funding for feasibility studies, planning, or full removal works.
