Last year, the NGO Eko-svest, working with the Municipality of Kumanovo and with support from the Open Rivers Programme, removed a barrier on the Pčinja River. This was one of two first-ever barrier removals in the country, both supported by the Open Rivers Programme. In this article, we focus on the monitoring results from the barrier demolition on the Pčinja River.
Research carried out beforehand had already revealed the damage the barrier was causing. The barrier impeded the flow of the river and the free distribution of silt, hindered the free movement of aquatic animals, caused pollution in the section of the river above it, and posed a safety risk to the local population.
Following the removal in late 2025, Eko-svest continued to monitor the river’s condition. This summer, in June, the team carried out the first monitoring of fish fauna at the site of the former barrier, to assess the river’s state and track its restoration – and the results are inspiring.
In place of the barrier, large stones now sit among other naturally deposited material. Together, these create a positive effect: the flow of water through these structures provides favourable conditions and shelter for river organisms.
In the section below the former barrier, inspections carried out both before and after its removal recorded all species of fish known to live in the Pčinja, indicating that the river has stabilised without any loss of wildlife.
Several findings point to a healing ecosystem. The presence of young fish shows that reproduction is taking place successfully, while the absence of non-native species such as carp is an encouraging sign for the habitat’s recovery and marks an outstanding achievement of the project. Notably, crayfish, a recognised bioindicator of clean water under Natura 2000, were also observed, a further positive marker for water quality.
Although the difference since the barrier’s removal is already significant, some challenges remain. Years of blockage allowed large amounts of fallen trees from the surrounding forest to accumulate in the area above the former barrier, as the river was unable to carry them away. This build-up now slows the river’s flow and continues to hinder the natural washing away and redistribution of the silt that originally formed there because of the barrier.
The results so far show that the Pčinja River is gradually returning to its natural state, a process that will take time but is clearly moving in the right direction. Regular seasonal monitoring will continue, allowing the recovery process to be tracked over the longer term.
The Open Rivers Programme is delighted to keep following the progress of the now completed project. More information can be found here.
Note: This text is an adaptation of the original version published on Eko-svest website (automatic translation to several languages is possible depending on your browser).
