What went right this week: the good news that matters

In a victory for nature, more than 2,300 miles of waterways were reconnected in Europe last year, as a record number of dams were removed across the continent.  

A new report by Dam Removal Europe, an environmental group, found that 603 river barriers were taken down across the continent last year – up significantly on the 542 removed in 2024. Sweden led the way, with 173 removals, followed by Finland (143) and Spain (109). Iceland and Macedonia, meanwhile, pulled down their first river barriers.

According to the report, the record breaking year saw Europe’s dam busters reconnect around 2,300 miles of waterways in 2025, improving river habitats and reopening migratory routes for fish. 

Biodiversity gains have already been reported in some places, including along the River Lee in north Wales (pictured), where sightings of sea lamprey nests have surged since Eribstock Weir was removed. 

“Seeing these [nests] is genuinely exciting,” said Joel Rees-Jones, who led the project. “By reconnecting habitats and removing barriers like Erbistock Weir, we’re giving iconic species such as lamprey and Atlantic salmon a fighting chance to thrive.”  

However, obstacles remain. “With more than 150,000 obsolete barriers fragmenting European rivers, there is still a lot of work to be done,” said Dam Removal Europe. “But momentum is really building.” 

Image: Christian Björling