Pasaules Dabas Fonds, an associate partner of WWF, has successfully completed the removal of the Beja watermill on the Alūksne River, marking the first-ever dam removal in Latvia.
The Beja watermill, once the only barrier on the 24-kilometre-long Alūksne River, had long been in a state of disrepair, with no economic use. Its removal, which began in May 2023, has freed the entire river, allowing fish to migrate and spawn freely once again. The removal of a long-abandoned wooden sluice would boost oxygen levels, enhance water quality, and strengthen the river’s overall ecological resilience.
© Pasaules Dabas Fonds / WWF
The demolition was completed this summer, in June, marking the end of a three-year effort to remove the dam and restore the riverbanks for local landowners. Throughout the removal process, the water level behind the dam was gradually lowered, reducing flood risks and allowing accumulated sediment to be naturally washed away by the current. As part of the restoration, stones and pebbles are being placed in the riverbed to simulate a natural flow, ensuring fish and other aquatic species can navigate the river without obstruction.
Looking ahead, Magda Jentgena, Manager of the Baltic Sea and Freshwater Programme at Pasaules Dabas Fonds/WWF, highlighted the need for legislative reforms to reduce bureaucratic obstacles and to secure further public support for promoting the dam removal movement in Latvia. The successful completion of this project signals growing momentum towards freeing Latvia’s rivers and improving habitats for migratory fish and other aquatic life.
© Pasaules Dabas Fonds / WWF
The Beja dam was one of approximately 70 barriers identified as undesirable obstructions in Latvia’s rivers under the “For Clean Rivers” initiative. Its removal not only restores the river but also transforms the surrounding area, turning the former reservoir into a natural floodplain meadow, and enhancing local biodiversity.
The project was implemented with the support of the European Open Rivers Programme and the mineral water brand Mangaļi.
