Parts of the more than 90-year-old Görarp Dam in the River Råån have now been removed, making around 30 kilometers of river accessible to fish and other aquatic animals. The demolition restores the natural flow of the River Råån, which will strengthen populations of trout, among others, but also benefit weaker-swimming species such as the river lamprey.
The Görarp Dam, located in the lower part of the Råån river, has long been a barrier to fish trying to migrate upstream to spawn. The concrete wall, which is four meters high and thirteen meters wide, has been an insurmountable obstacle for many species.
With the removal, River Råån regains its natural course and the important stretches upstream will become availiable to spawning fish such as trout and lamprey
The adjacent fish ladder could only be used by strong-swimmers such as trout.
Now that parts of the dam have been removed, there will be a huge improvement for both fish life and biodiversity in River Råån. During the summer of 2025, the rest of the dam foundation will be removed.
Photo: Ebbe Berglund
About Görarpsdammen – function lost
Görarpsdammen was built in the late 1920s to secure Helsingborg’s drinking water supply, but lost its function in the 1980s. Since then, the dam has only been an obstacle to the natural flow of water and the ability of fish and sediment to get past.
With the demolition, River Råån regains its natural flow and the important stretches upstream will be available for spawning, growth and migration for fish and other organisms. The re-establishment of free migration routes will hopefully strengthen population of trout and other species throughout the catchment.
Photo: Ebbe Berglund
Part of Improve Aquatic LIFE
The demolition is part of Europe’s largest water conservation project Improve Aquatic LIFE, which improves aquatic environments in southern Sweden. In total, 17 partners are involved in the project, including several county administrative boards, municipalities, universities, authorities and non-profit organizations.