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Many obsolete barriers harm Europe's rivers

News Published 08 Feb 2021 Last modified 09 Feb 2023

1 min read

Photo: © © Robert de Jong, REDISCOVER Nature/EEA

River continuity is key to improving the ecological status of Europe’s water bodies. However, very few free-flowing rivers remain and the barriers in them cause significant pressures for about 20 % of Europe’s surface water bodies. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published today, looks at the issue of river barriers and their impact on ecosystems.