The project will remove the flood-damaged Kotradiq Dam and restore natural flow, sediment movement and ecological connectivity in the Lumbardhi i Deçanit River.
The Lumbardhi i Deçanit is a mountain river in western Kosovo and a tributary of the White Drin. It rises in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna mountains, flows through the Deçan Gorge and surrounding communities, and continues across the Dukagjini Plain. Its upper reaches retain cold, fast-flowing habitats of high ecological value, supporting diverse fish and aquatic invertebrates, including endemic and newly recorded species.
The Kotradiq Dam is located in the lower river near the village of Kotradiq, where the river is also important for local agriculture and community water use.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: demolition |
| Country | Kosovo |
| River | Lumbardhi i Deçanit |
| Removal timeline | August 2026 - July 2027 |
| Km to be opened | 7.5 km |
| Focal species | Salmo farioides; Alburnoides ohridanus; Barbatula sturanyi; Pachychilon pictum; Rhyacophila europaea sp. nov.; Tinodes lumbardhi |
| Organisation | Ecopana |
| Website | ecopana.org |
Built in 2019 for irrigation and local water regulation, the reinforced-concrete Kotradiq Dam was severely damaged by floods in 2023. The remaining structure and displaced concrete obstruct the river, interrupt sediment transport and fragment aquatic habitats. Ecological studies found marked degradation around the dam, while the upper river still supports sensitive species and good to high ecological conditions.
Removing the barrier creates a practical opportunity to reconnect the river, support freshwater biodiversity and demonstrate dam removal in Kosovo. The project will be implemented with local residents and public authorities, including measures to safeguard access to water for irrigation and livestock.
This dam removal project is a follow on grant from a previous Open Rivers Programme-supported pre-demolition project.
The project aims to remove the obsolete Kotradiq Dam and restore the natural connectivity of the Lumbardhi i Deçanit River. The removal will reconnect approximately 9 km of river habitat within the Lumbardhi i Deçanit sub-catchment (7.5 km upstream and 1.5 km downstream), improving ecological connectivity and contributing to the ecological integrity of the wider White Drin River Basin.
The project will implement the technical removal and river restoration measures developed during the preparatory phase, including actions to stabilise the riverbed and banks and support the recovery of natural river processes. It will also address the needs of local water users through practical, nature-based solutions that maintain access to water without creating a new barrier.
Expected outcomes include the restoration of free-flowing conditions, improved movement of aquatic species, better sediment transport, enhanced river habitat quality, and reduced safety risks associated with the damaged structure. The project will also provide a practical example of barrier removal and river restoration that can support similar initiatives elsewhere in Kosovo.
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