The Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, in partnership with leading scientists and conservationists, is launching a large-scale initiative to survey obsolete artificial barriers along the Arda River in Bulgaria.
In March 2026, the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation launched a new 13-month project aimed at restoring river connectivity in the Arda River basin. The initiative will conduct a full inventory of artificial migration barriers in the Bulgarian section of the river and further explore possibilities for their eventual removal.
The project is being implemented in partnership with the National Museum of Natural History at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Balkani Wildlife Society, with the financial support of the European Open Rivers Programme.
A view beneath the surface: Why the Arda River and why now?
The Arda River basin was chosen because of its exceptional biodiversity. However, the catchment area is fragmented by hundreds of artificial barriers (weirs, dams, culverts), some of which are abandoned and serve no function. These barriers block the migration routes of valuable and endangered fish species, such as the Macedonian trout, Vardar nase, and Maritsa barbel, threatening their survival.
What does the initiative involve?
Throughout the next year, the team will survey over 750 km of the river network, including dozens of Arda’s tributaries. The main activities include:
- Full inventory and field assessment of the barriers.
- Hydrobiological studies of 10 selected barriers with potential for removal.
- Preparation of technical and financial plans for the removal of the 3 most critical and feasible obsolete structures.
Long-term goal: The results of the study will lay the foundation for the removal of up to 3 obsolete structures in the next 3 to 5 years, and up to 10 barriers within a decade.
Benefits for Nature and People
In addition to clean water and healthy fish populations, the project will bring direct benefits to local communities in the Rhodopes through better water resource management, reduced risk of disasters, and new opportunities for sustainable nature tourism and recreational fishing.
For more information and to track the results, visit the new section on our website: https://rewilding-rhodopes.com/rewilding-arda-river/
More about the financial partner: The European Open Rivers Programme is a grant-giving organization dedicated to restoring rivers. The programme offers grants to support projects that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity. The programme is funded by Arcadia.
