Right at the entrance of the Semenic-Cheile Carașului National Park, three obsolete barriers are waiting to be removed for the benefit of nature and the local community.
The Caraș River, a tributary of the Danube, springs in the Anina Mountains. It is a 110 km long river crossing the Banat region in Romania and Vojvodina in Serbia. It flows through the Semenic-Cheile Carașului National Park, including 19 km of spectacular karst gorges, an important ecotouristic attraction of the national park due to their scenic landscape.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: pre-demolition |
| Country | Romania |
| River | Caraș |
| Focal species | Salmo trutta, Gobio uranoscopus, Barbus balcanicus, Romano gobio kesslerii, Sabanejewia balcanica |
| Organisation | WWF Romania |
| Website | Coming soon |
Romania has a rich river system, but many rivers are impacted by hydro-technical infrastructure that alters lateral and longitudinal connectivity. Regulations and embankments have commonly been used to prevent flood risks. Due to EU legislation, authorities have only recently started considering solutions to restore lateral and longitudinal connectivity.
Improving lotic systems by increasing connectivity and reducing fragmentation allows them to fulfil their natural functions for the benefit of socio-economic riverine communities: better water quality, sediment transport, ecosystem resilience to climate change, no maintenance costs, enhanced recreational possibilities, reduced damage risk, and more. River barriers and new climate conditions amplify negative effects on biodiversity and human well-being. To reverse this trend, dam removal is a solution.
The project aims to prepare the removal of the three obsolete barriers on the Caraș River at the entrance of the Semenic-Cheile Carașului National Park.
During the project, all necessary technical studies required to secure permits for removing the three barriers will be developed, including a feasibility study, technical detailed design, environmental impact assessment, appropriate assessment for Natura 2000 sites, and an impact assessment on the water body in line with the Water Framework Directive.
The project will continue collaboration with key stakeholders and increase awareness of dam removal and its benefits. It will set a precedent for removing small obsolete barriers in Romania through close cooperation with local authorities.
Funded by
