Europe's record dam removal in 2025 restores rivers and revives salmon populations
By
Radina Gigova
3d ago· 12 min readenNews
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Summary
Europe removed a record 603 dams and barriers across 21 countries in 2025, reconnecting thousands of kilometers of rivers. The article focuses on the Hiitolanjoki river in Finland, where dam removal restored natural water flow, cooled the water, and revived salmon populations. It explores the broader global movement to tear down obsolete dams for ecological restoration, highlighting how dam removal benefits biodiversity, improves water quality, and restores natural river systems. The piece is part of CNN's Call to Earth series in partnership with Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative, covering environmental challenges and solutions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe river arrived almost immediately.
As the dams on the Hiitolanjoki in Finland came down, it began to change — the water quickened and cooled, sounding less like a reservoir and more like a river again.
Europe removed a record 603 dams and barriers across 21 countries in 2025, reconnecting thousands of kilometers of rivers — and the species that live in them.
Europe removed a record 603 dams and barriers across 21 countries in 2025, reconnecting thousands of kilometers of rivers — and the species that live in them.
