The project will create a comprehensive, science-based, and socially informed prioritisation of river barrier removals in the Bulgarian Veleka River basin.
The project focuses on the Bulgarian section of the transboundary Veleka River, which originates from karst springs in the Turkish Strandzha Mountains. In Bulgaria, the main river flows 123 km before entering the Black Sea. The study area also includes two major tributaries – Mladezhka (40 km) and Aydere (25 km) – covering one-third of the 792 km² catchment.
Entirely situated within Strandzha Nature Park and a designated Special Area of Conservation, the basin encompasses three strict nature reserves and ranks among Europe’s richest biodiversity hotspots, hosting 97 relict species, including several endemic fish. The river mouth forms a protected area with relic oak-beech forests and the scenic Veleka canyon.
Sparsely populated, with 15 small villages facing demographic decline, the area remains economically dependent on forestry, military presence, and emerging eco-tourism.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| River | Veleka |
| Focal species | Rutilus frisii velecensis, Cobitis pontica, Petroleuciscus borysthenicus, Chalcalburnus chalcoides |
| Organisation | Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation |
| Website | Flowing Wild - Veleka River Restoration |
The project presents a strategic opportunity for science-based restoration, as the Veleka River is designated an Area of Potential Significant Flood Risk under the EU Floods Directive, yet current management plans (2022-2027) do not address the role of barriers in flood dynamics and biodiversity loss. Existing data from the Black Sea Basin Management Plan are incomplete, and field checks reveal inconsistencies in the official database.
This project will deliver the first comprehensive, field-verified inventory of all barriers along 200 km of the Veleka and its tributaries. By integrating scientific, technical, and social inputs, it will identify and prioritise feasible and ecologically meaningful barrier removals, filling critical knowledge gaps and informing the next River Basin Management Plan (2028-2033).
Ultimately, it will advance EU Water Framework Directive goals, enhance climate resilience, and establish a replicable model for river restoration in Bulgaria.
Key goals for this project are:
Prioritising barriers for removal based on ecological significance, technical feasibility, and legal and social acceptability, and developing a detailed barrier inventory database as a foundation for future restoration and infrastructure removal projects (through A2 and A4 ORP grants).
Improving knowledge of river and habitat connectivity within the Veleka River Basin to support biodiversity restoration and natural hydrological processes.
Engaging local stakeholders and institutions to ensure shared understanding, data exchange, and long-term management commitment for river connectivity.
Funded by
