In 2025, Europe saw a record-breaking number of river barriers dismantled, with 603 dams and other obstructions removed across the continent according to a report by Dam Removal Europe, surpassing the 2024 figure of 542. This effort was part of a major campaign to restore the ecological health and connectivity of water systems, resulting in approximately 2,300 miles (3,700 km) of waterways being reopened by year’s end.
Sweden led the movement by removing 173 barriers, followed by Finland with 143 and Spain with 109. For the first time, Iceland and North Macedonia joined the list of countries undertaking removals, signaling a geographical expansion of programs aimed at clearing obsolete obstructions.
Why This Matters: Dams and other barriers fragment rivers, disrupting the natural migration of fish and aquatic life while altering hydrology and damaging ecosystems. Removing these obstacles restores the vital link between upstream and downstream sections, improving water flow and quality while helping migratory species return and boosting overall river resilience.
Real-world results are already being seen on the ground, with visible improvements in biodiversity recorded in several locations. One such success was documented on the River Dee in North Wales, where the removal of the Erbistock weir led to a dramatic spike in sightings of sea lamprey nests. Project manager Joel Rees-Jones noted that seeing these nests is truly exciting, as reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like the Erbistock weir gives iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance at survival.
Despite these successes, the scale of the challenges remains immense, with Dam Removal Europe estimating that over 150,000 obsolete barriers continue to fragment European rivers. This implies that the pace of dismantling must increase significantly to fully restore the ecosystem functions of these waterways. The report emphasizes that while the work is accelerating, many administrative, technical, and financial obstacles persist, including permit requirements, risk assessments for erosion and sediment, and the need to balance hydropower interests with those of local communities.
A combination of public funding, European grants, nature conservation investments, and NGO participation plays a key role in implementing these programs. Technical expertise is provided by both government agencies and private firms specializing in ecological river restoration.
The growth in dam removals and restored miles of waterways offers a positive outlook for Europe's ecosystems and biodiversity. However, transitioning from isolated projects to a systemic program will require coordinated political action, sustainable funding, and a strategy to address the social impacts on riverfront communities. The success of examples like Erbistock demonstrates that tangible ecological rewards are possible in the coming years through the combination of scientific expertise, public support, and proper investment.
The primary data source is the Dam Removal Europe report: DRE Progress Report 2025 (May 2026).
