Record number of dams removed from Europe’s rivers in 2021

More than 200 barriers were taken down last year, helping to restore fish migration routes and boost biodiversity and climate resilience

At least 239 barriers, including dams and weirs, were removed across 17 countries in Europe in 2021, in a record-breaking year for dam removals across the continent.

Spain led the way, with 108 structures taken out of the country's rivers. Our efforts to expand dam removals across Europe are gathering speed," said Pao Fernandez Garrido, project manager for the World Fish Migration Foundation, who helped produce Dam Removal Europe's annual report.