Record 603 Obsolete River Barriers Removed Across Europe in 2025
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A record 603 obsolete dams, weirs, and culverts were removed from European rivers in 2025, reconnecting more than 3,740 kilometers of waterways. The effort included North Macedonia's first large-scale barrier removal, a 70-year-old concrete slab on the Pčinja River. The work is part of a broader push to restore river ecosystems, with over 150,000 barriers across Europe considered obsolete.
Facts First
- A record 603 obsolete river barriers were removed in Europe in 2025, reconnecting over 3,740 km of rivers.
- North Macedonia completed its first large-scale barrier removal, demolishing a 70-year-old concrete slab on the Pčinja River.
- Iceland also carried out its first river barrier removal in 2025, taking out an old hydroelectric dam.
- An estimated 1.2 million barriers fragment Europe's rivers, with over 150,000 considered obsolete.
- Nearly 2,300 dams have been removed across Europe since 2020, primarily in Sweden, Finland, and Spain.
What Happened
In 2025, a total of 603 obsolete river barriers—including dams, weirs, and culverts—were removed from European rivers, according to the 2025 Dam Removal Europe report. This set a new single-year record for dam removal on the continent. The removals reconnected an estimated 3,740 kilometers (2,324 miles) of rivers. One notable project was the demolition of a reinforced concrete slab that had blocked the Pčinja River in Kumanovo, North Macedonia, for over 70 years. This was the first large-scale removal of its type in North Macedonia. Iceland also carried out its first river barrier removal in 2025, involving an old hydroelectric dam that was no longer in use.
Why this Matters to You
Restoring the free flow of rivers can improve local water quality and help fish populations recover, which may benefit recreational fishing and local biodiversity you could enjoy. The removal of obsolete infrastructure like the Pčinja River barrier is a tangible step toward healthier, more resilient watersheds. As more barriers are removed, it could lead to more stable and natural river systems, which are less prone to flooding and better able to support ecosystems.
What's Next
The momentum for river restoration appears likely to continue, given the record-setting pace of removals and the large number of barriers—over 150,000—still considered obsolete across Europe. Environmental organizations like Eko-svest, which led the Pčinja River effort, may pursue further projects. The success in 2025 could encourage more countries to initiate their own first removals, following the examples set by North Macedonia and Iceland.