This project will identify, assess and prioritise river barriers in the Macedonian part of the Prespa Lake catchment to prepare future barrier removals that restore river connectivity and improve habitats for the endangered Prespa trout.
The project is located in the Macedonian part of the Prespa Lake catchment, one of the most valuable freshwater ecosystems in Southeast Europe and part of the transboundary Prespa Park, shared by North Macedonia, Albania and Greece.
The project focuses on the Golema Reka River and its tributaries – Leva Reka, Brajchinska, Kranska, Kurbinska and Istochka Rivers – which flow from the Pelister and Galicica Mountains into Prespa Lake. These mountain rivers support exceptional freshwater biodiversity, including several endemic fish species and the endangered Prespa trout (Salmo peristericus), which depends on free-flowing tributaries for spawning
The catchment also includes internationally protected areas such as Pelister National Park, Ezerani Nature Park, the Prespa Lake Nature Monument, the Ohrid–Prespa Transboundary Biosphere Reserve and the Prespa Ramsar Site.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | North Macedonia |
| River | Golema Reka River and tributaries |
| Focal species | Prespa trout (Salmo peristericus) and Otter (Lutra lutra) |
| Organisation | Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) |
| Website | mes.org.mk |
Although the Prespa basin is internationally recognised for its biodiversity, river connectivity has never been systematically assessed from a barrier removal perspective. Numerous small barriers, including irrigation diversion structures, sediment-control cascades and obsolete water infrastructure, interrupt fish migration, sediment transport and natural river processes. Many of these structures may no longer serve their original purpose but continue to fragment habitats used by the endangered Prespa trout and other aquatic species.
The project addresses this important knowledge gap by creating the first comprehensive inventory and prioritisation of barriers in the Macedonian part of the catchment. The results will provide the scientific and technical basis for future barrier removal projects and support long-term river restoration in one of the Balkans’ most important freshwater landscapes.
The project aims to restore river connectivity in the Prespa Lake catchment by identifying and prioritising barriers suitable for future removal or ecological restoration. Field surveys, GIS mapping and rapid ecological and hydromorphological assessments will be undertaken across approximately 80 km of rivers. Technical experts and stakeholders will jointly evaluate barriers based on ecological benefits, technical feasibility, ownership, legal considerations and stakeholder support.
Expected outputs include a geospatial database of river barriers, a field assessment report, a transparent prioritisation framework, preliminary feasibility assessments for priority barriers, stakeholder consultation reports and communication materials.
The project is expected to identify at least one high-priority barrier suitable for future restoration under subsequent Open Rivers Programme funding, strengthen collaboration among national and local stakeholders, and establish a pipeline of future barrier removal projects that will improve habitat connectivity for the endangered Prespa trout and other freshwater species.
Funded by
