In 2025, European countries dismantled over 600 dams, locks, and other river barriers, restoring free flow to more than 3,740 kilometers of rivers. According to The Guardian, citing a report from Dam Removal Europe, this marks the fifth consecutive record year for the number of structures demolished.
This concerns not only large dams but also old locks, bridges, and spillways, many of which have long ceased to be used, yet continued to obstruct fish migration and disrupt natural ecosystems.
In just one year, Europe removed at least 603 barriers — 11% more than the previous year. The most structures were dismantled in Sweden, Finland, and Spain.
One symbolic example was the demolition of an old dam on the Melsa River in Iceland. Once it supplied electricity to a farm, but it had long been out of operation. According to engineers, sheep were already living in the old power station.
Ecologists note that outdated dams alter water temperature, disrupt sediment transport, and block fish migration. Experts estimate that the population of migratory freshwater fish in Europe has decreased by about 75% since 1970.
At the same time, experts emphasize that dismantling requires a careful approach, as some artificial barriers also help to control the spread of invasive species.
Currently, there are over a million various barriers on Europe's rivers, tens of thousands of which are considered unnecessary or outdated. Following the adoption of the new EU Nature Restoration Law, EU countries have committed to restoring 25,000 kilometers of rivers with free-flowing conditions by 2030.
Ecologists believe that the mass demolition of old dams is becoming one of the key steps in restoring natural ecosystems in Europe. Freeing rivers helps to return fish migration, improve the condition of water bodies, and gradually restore the natural balance that has been disrupted for decades.
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