The Melnupe River Dam has been identified as one of Latvia’s top 70 priority barriers for removal, and its removal would significantly improve ecosystems and migratory fish passage in a uniquely sea-connected river.
The project is located on the Melnupe River, where a municipality-owned dam forms a small but degraded reservoir affected by eutrophication and ongoing flood risks. Although the river maintains a rare natural connection to the sea, the ageing structure presents both environmental and safety concerns. This has led to a municipality-driven effort to restore the river through careful planning, community involvement, and phased implementation.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: pre-demolition |
| Country | Latvia |
| River | Melnupe |
| Focal species | Sea trout (Salmo trutta), River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) |
| Organisation | Pasaules Dabas Fonds |
| Website | coming soon. |
The project is particularly significant given the river’s high ecological value. The Melnupe Basin supports multiple EU-protected habitats and a wide range of rare and protected species. A key stretch of high-quality river habitat upstream is currently degraded by the dam, and its restoration would strengthen biodiversity and ecosystem resilience across the entire river system.
Reconnecting these upstream areas is especially important for fish reproduction, as they provide some of the most suitable spawning and nursery habitats in the region.
The project aims to complete all necessary preparatory work to secure permits and stakeholder approval for the removal of the dam on the Melnupe river in the village of Zeltiņi.
In the long term, once preparatory work is completed and the municipality proceeds with removal, the project will deliver broader environmental and societal benefits. Restoring a free-flowing river will improve natural flood management and enhance climate resilience.
As a nationally recognised priority for removal, this project represents a strong opportunity to demonstrate how targeted actions can deliver lasting benefits for both nature and local communities, setting an example for similar initiatives across Latvia and the Baltic region.
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