Removing the dam will give trout access to new spawning grounds on a new tributary further upstream.
The Batitan weir blocks river continuity of the Branugues stream, a right bank tributary of the Cère river. The Cère originates in the Massif Central mountains, and its valley is designated as a Natura 2000 site. This region is home to numerous species of heritage interest, including Salmo trutta, otter and Lampetra planeri.
The Batitan dam is considered impassable for many fish species and has a detrimental effect on biodiversity, causing the accumulation of sand and fine sediment upstream. Restoring ecological continuity in the Branugues stream is essential, as it supports wild strains of Salmo trutta.
This project is a follow-on demolition grant from a previous pre-demolition grant supported by the programme.
This stream is the last potentially accessible upstream tributary in the Cère basin before the 15-metre-high Nepès dam. However, fish are currently blocked just 800 metres after the confluence with the Cère due to the Batitan weir. Recognised by the Cantal Fishing Federation as a potential nursery stream, the Branugues has benefited from several years of restoration work, including bank protection, riparian zone improvement, and the removal of another unused dam.
The SMDMCA (Mixed Syndicate of the Middle Dordogne and the Lower Cère), which manages local watercourses, is currently in the diagnostic phase of a multi-annual management plan for the downstream Cère basin. Given the ecological importance of the Branugues, it was natural for ERN and the SMDMCA to submit this restoration initiative to the Open Rivers Programme. The funding provided is a significant opportunity to secure long-term benefits for this stream and its wildlife.
Expected outcomes of the project are:
Reopen 87% of the Branugues stream to fish passage
Restore natural sediment transport and fish habitats: increased upstream flow velocity will reduce sediment clogging and promote downstream sediment movement, enriching aquatic habitats
Prevent surface water warming: without stagnation upstream of the dam, water will retain its oxygen levels and cooler temperature, which are critical for temperature-sensitive species like Salmo trutta
Strengthen ecosystem resilience: continuous water renewal will maintain optimal conditions for aquatic species and enhance resilience to climate change
Preserve native brown trout populations by improving reproduction and genetic diversity, and reducing spawning pressure on the Cère at Laroquebrou
Apply technical solutions that avoid risks to the foundations of the nearby house upstream of the dam site
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