This project supports the ecological restoration and sustainable management of Vjosa river ecosystems by identifying and assessing obsolete and unused barriers that could potentially be removed.
The Vjosa River, often described as Europe’s last wild river, flows freely through the heart of the Balkans. Rising in the Pindus Mountains of Greece and running through Albania to the Adriatic Sea, it stretches for more than 270 kilometres. Unlike most rivers in Europe, the Vjosa and its tributaries remain largely untouched by dams or major human intervention, forming a rare ecosystem of braided channels, wetlands, and floodplains. This constantly shifting landscape supports rich biodiversity, including numerous endangered species, and plays a vital ecological role.
The river has become a powerful symbol of environmental conservation in Europe, inspiring strong local and international efforts to safeguard its natural condition. In 2023, the Vjosa was designated Europe’s first Wild River National Park, a significant achievement for nature protection. It stands as a striking example of the beauty and importance of preserving wild river systems in an increasingly developed world.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | Albania |
| River | Vjosa |
| Focal species | Typha minima, Galanthus reginae-olgae, Anguilla anguilla, Gobio skadarensis, Otis tarda, Lutra lutra, Myotis bechsteiini |
| Organisation | EcoAlbania |
| Website | EcoAlbania website |
This project supports the ecological restoration and sustainable management of Albania’s river ecosystems by identifying and assessing obsolete barriers in the Vjosa River basin. Although the Vjosa itself remains largely wild, many of its tributaries are fragmented by outdated dams and weirs that damage biodiversity and disrupt natural flow.
The project involves detailed mapping, field surveys, and the evaluation of barriers according to ecological impact, safety, and cultural significance. Priority will be given to structures whose removal would deliver the greatest ecological benefits. Building on a previous irrigation dam atlas, the project stresses strong stakeholder participation to ensure transparency and community support.
The primary goal is to remove non-functional barriers that no longer serve a purpose but continue to harm biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. This intervention supports the expansion of the newly established Vjosa Wild River National Park by reintegrating free-flowing tributaries into the wider river system. Through detailed mapping, field surveys, and barrier assessments based on ecological, cultural, and safety criteria, the project will prioritise structures for removal that offer the greatest environmental benefits.
Key deliverables include a publicly accessible inventory of river barriers, a ranked list of removal candidates, strategic restoration recommendations, and a legal and institutional review to determine the feasibility of dam removal. Equally important is the involvement of local communities, NGOs, and water authorities to ensure transparency, stakeholder support, and long-term impact. This initiative contributes directly to Albania’s river restoration targets and supports broader EU water policy goals.
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