Conducting a comprehensive investigation of the catchment areas within the South Western Carpathians to map, and record the ownership, condition, and importance of both registered and unregistered barriers to prioritise them for removal.
This project targets five catchments in the Southern Carpathians, a large-scale wilderness landscape that hosts diverse habitats.
The Bistra, Sebes, Fenes, and Paraul Rece rivers are tributaries to the Timiș River, which spans approximately 250 km, winding Romania and Serbia and converging with the Danube. These four tributaries are considered the river’s origin points at the highest elevations within the Timiș catchment.
A tributary of the Cerna, the Belareca River, feeds into the Danube, facilitated by a 10-km stretch of the Cerna River, providing ample spawning grounds for various fish species.
The proposed area is an important hotspot for biodiversity. It supports populations of many fish species, such as salmonids, bullhead and lamprey; invertebrate species, such as crayfish; and semi-aquatic mammals, like otters, water shrews and water voles, all of which would benefit from having healthier river habitats.
| Project status | Completed |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | Romania |
| Rivers | Belareca, Paraul Rece, Fenes, Sebes, and Bistra |
| Focal species | Salmo trutta, Eudontomyzon sp., Romonogobio uranoscopus, Cottus gobio, Thymallus thymallus, Sabanejewia balcanica, Barbus sp and Lutra lutra |
| Organisation | Rewilding Romania |
There’s a lack of publicly available information on river barriers in Romania, especially in the South Western Carpathians. Many barriers in this region were built by various authorities over time, leading to degradation and lost records. Consequently, most small barriers are undocumented, hindering effective action. A comprehensive field inventory is necessary to address this, covering ownership, physical characteristics, current state, and ecological impact of registered and unregistered barriers.
Understanding local communities’ perceptions of dam removal is crucial to evaluate the feasibility of future removals and prioritize awareness-raising efforts accordingly.
This project aims to build capacity for barrier removal, enhance longitudinal river connectivity, and restore ecological processes. This, in turn, will improve the migration patterns of crucial organisms, enhance breeding habitats, and augment biodiversity within rivers and riparian zones, aligning with Rewilding Romania’s strategy for wilder nature in the Southern Carpathians, known for their diverse wildlife.
To achieve the project objectives, comprehensive field surveys will be conducted in the proposed catchments to identify and map all barriers. This includes assessing their type, purpose, building materials, measurements, and current condition and conducting a preliminary evaluation of their ecological, hydrological, and geomorphological impact. Ownership of the barriers and affected properties will be determined through meetings with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders. The outcome of these activities will be a prioritised list of high-potential dams based on the aforementioned criteria, and efforts will be made to obtain consent for their removal from the owners of the top-ranked barriers. At least 40 barriers will be prioritised.
Interviews with key stakeholders will be conducted to evaluate the potential for barrier removal and develop an awareness-raising strategy. Utilising this strategy, public meetings will be organised locally to engage stakeholders and raise awareness of the benefits of barrier removal. Additionally, other organizations involved in dam removals will be invited to contribute insights during these meetings.
Furthermore, a guide outlining the steps and procedures for dam removal in Romania, including estimated timeframes, will be developed. This will involve researching legislation, consulting technical experts, and collaborating with organisations experienced in dam removal.
The project successfully developed a dedicated barrier data collection system, comprising an ESRI ArcGIS Online database and a mobile application using ESRI Field Maps.
Field activities were carried out across all rivers and main tributaries within the five targeted catchments – Bistra, Sebeș, Feneș, Pârâul Rece, and Belareca – resulting in 82 field reports and the identification and mapping of 82 barriers between May 2024 and March 2025.
A preliminary ecological impact assessment of these barriers was also completed.
Engagement with key stakeholders, including municipalities, water authorities, NGOs, and local leaders, was a central part of the project, with meetings organised to present findings, explore removal opportunities, and secure institutional backing. Public meetings further enabled dialogue with local communities, fishermen, and representatives from small hydropower plants.
With the prioritisation of barriers now complete, the project is moving forward with detailed feasibility studies for selected weirs through a follow-on grant from the programme.
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