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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Ajit Niranjan

Record number of river barriers removed across Europe in 2023

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) leaping on upstream migration
Connecting rivers helps wildlife travel and allows migratory fish to reach breeding grounds. Photograph: Ann and Steve Toon/Alamy

Europe removed a record number of dams and other barriers from its rivers in 2023, a report has found, helping to restore its disturbed waterways to their natural states.

Nearly 500 barriers were taken out of European rivers last year, according to figures compiled by Dam Removal Europe, an increase of 50% from the year before.

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