The project aims to remove four culverts from the Fange des Gomhets streams in order to restore natural water flow and improve the ecological continuity of the watercourse.
The project area is within the Fange des Gomhets catchment, a tributary of the Vierre River in the heart of the Semois Valley National Park in southern Belgium.
The entire sub-basin is designated as salmonid waters, supporting species typically found in trout zones, including trout, minnow, bullhead, lamprey, and loach. The Fange des Gomhets stream – classified as water body SC22R – is currently considered to be in good ecological condition under the EU Water Framework Directive.
The Fange des Gomhets has been partially modified by human infrastructure related to forestry, including multiple culverts that disrupt aquatic connectivity and fish movement.
| Project status | Completed |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: demolition |
| Country | Belgium |
| River | Fange des Gomhets |
| Removal date | Spring 2026 |
| Km to be opened | 6.6 km |
| Focal species | Trout, bullhead |
| Organisation | Contrat de Rivière Semois-Chiers, Parc national de la Vallée de la Semois, Commune de Tintingy |
| Website | Parc national Vallée de la Semois & Contrat de Rivière Semois-Chiers |
The Contrat de Rivière Semois-Chiers selected this catchment as a priority for ecological restoration, offering an opportunity to enhance the natural functioning of the stream and contribute to the park’s broader conservation goals.
This basin is of particular interest as it is part of the N2000 network, and is home to two Nature Reserves (one managed by Ardennes et Gaume, and the other by the Department of Nature and Forest). The two reserves are surrounded by the four culverts planned for removal within this Open Rivers Programme-supported project.
Removing the culverts will restore a more natural flow regime, reconnect aquatic and riparian habitats, and improve resilience to flooding and climate change. This project aligns with regional and national strategies promoting river restoration and biodiversity recovery within protected landscapes.
The main expected outcomes of this project are multifaceted, addressing ecological, economic, and political aspects.
Ecologically, the removal of culverts and replacement with hydraulically transparent solutions will improve habitat connectivity in the Fange des Gomhets basin, facilitating fish migration, particularly for species like brown trout and bullhead. This will restore natural processes in the river, benefiting a variety of aquatic species and enhancing biodiversity.
Economically, the project will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of barrier removal, with the potential to attract further funding and support for similar initiatives across Wallonia.
Politically, it positions the project as a model for sustainable river management, promoting the importance of ecological continuity in policy discussions.
In the long term, the project will contribute to the overall health and resilience of the Vierre and Semois catchments, providing data that will guide future restoration efforts and set a precedent for similar projects in the region.
Four road culverts in the Fange des Gomhets catchment were replaced with ecologically transparent crossings, restoring over 6 km of river connectivity within the Semois Valley National Park. The project reconnected high-quality headwater habitat for brown trout, bullhead, lamprey, and other native species while maintaining forest road access.
Beyond the ecological improvements, the project demonstrated – once again – the feasibility of replacing traditional culverts with nature-friendly infrastructure in Wallonia.
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