The project's team is removing five old dams to bring life back to free-flowing rivers in the Ruskträskbäcken and Hjuksån tributaries of the Vindel River.
The Vindel River winds through the wild heart of northern Sweden – a rare free-flowing river system protected as both a Natura 2000 site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. While the main river runs free, many of its smaller tributaries still carry the burden of old dams, remnants from the timber floating era.
This project focuses on five barriers in the Hjuksån and Ruskträskbäcken catchments. By removing them, the project’s team is working to reconnect fragmented streams and restore the full ecological function of these waters.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: demolition |
| Country | Sweden |
| River | Vindelälven catchment (Hjuksån and Ruskträskbäcken tributaries) |
| Removal date | September - October 2025 |
| Km to be opened | 112.7 km |
| Focal species | Trout, Arctic char, Whitefish, Grayling, Burbot, Perch |
| Organisation | Rewilding Sweden |
| Website | rewilding-sweden.com |
These dams may be small, but their impact is not. They block the way for fish like trout and grayling, disrupt the natural flow of water and sediment, and hold back the recovery of entire river ecosystems. None of these structures serve any current use – they’ve simply been left behind.
Thanks to earlier support from a previous Open Rivers Programme preparatory grant, the project’s team has already mapped the path forward, cleared up land ownership questions, and worked through cultural heritage concerns. Now, they are ready to take action and make a real difference on the ground. This is a unique opportunity to bring life back to these streams and contribute to broader goals for biodiversity and clean water – not just locally, but across Europe.
The project’s team will remove five dams – Fräkentjärnsdammen, Mjösjödammet, Malsjödammen, Skvaltkvarn and Lappträskdammen – and open over 112 kilometres of river habitat in the Vindelälven catchment. The goals are clear:
Restore natural flows and river dynamics
Reconnect migration routes for key fish species
Boost biodiversity and ecosystem health
Involve and inspire local communities
The project will improve habitats for a range of species, bring back natural sediment transport, support riparian vegetation, and build resilience in these river systems. Rewilding Sweden also hopes to show how dam removal can benefit both nature and people – and help lay the groundwork for future restoration efforts in the region.
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