Görarpsdammen is currently being lowered, which is the initial part of eliminating the last migration barrier in Skåne River Råån. Anna Olsson from the City of Helsingborg met with radio P4 Malmöhus where she explained the positive effects the measure has for the ecosystem.
Lowering of the Görarp dam in River Råån has been initiated
The lowering of the Görarp Dam is currently underway in River Råån. The lowering is the first stage before the dam foundation is dismantled so that all fish species can pass through the dam. The action is one of the first to be implemented in Improve Aquatic LIFE.
Artificial reefs in inner Bråviken
Efforts to improve marine habitats in Östergötland has now gained momentum. Last week, artificial reefs were placed in inner Bråviken to support predatory fish and enhance ecosystem conditions.
Europe’s largest aquatic restoration project has begun
The new improveaquaticlife.se website follows Europe’s largest water conservation project. The first action has already been taken – a 200-ton concrete culvert has been removed to restore the natural flow of the Pjältån river.
Brighter future for salmon in River Örekilsälven
Migration barriers will be removed and wetlands restored. This is very good news for salmon and other migratory species such as trout, eel and sea lamprey.
River Örekilsälven which flows into the Saltkällefjorden bay, accounts for around eight percent of the total salmon smolt production in the waters of Sweden’s west coast, making it the most important salmon river in the area. Species such as trout, eel and sea lamprey are also found here, as well as birds and mammals such as the common tern, common grayling, otter and several species of bats. In the past, the river has been heavily impacted by dams, power plant construction and gutting.
Removed concrete culvert benefits trout and river lamprey in Pjältån
In September 2024, the first Improve Aquatic LIFE action took place. In the Pjältån nature reserve, in the northeastern part of Östergötland County, a 60-meter-long and 200-ton concrete culvert was removed.
At the same time, the water was diverted back into a 250-meter natural channel that had run parallel to the culvert.
The inauguration of the project attracted around 70 visitors from the local area. Many of them took the opportunity to take a lunchtime walk to see the major change in situ. The culvert was built in the early 1970s in connection with the construction of the adjacent highway. The new solution is more nature-based and creates both more and better habitat for trout and river lamprey – two characteristic species in the area.
Major investment in Skåne’s coast – reefs and eelgrass meadows restored
One of the hundreds of projects implemented through Improve Aquatic LIFE is the restoration of reefs and the important eelgrass meadows in the Kattegat and the Öresund regions.
Lärjeån’s freshwater pearl mussels get a boost
In Lärjeån, wildlife passages and restorations will improve the status of the threatened freshwater pearl mussel, migrating salmon and other species.
Lärjeån is a tributary of the Göta River, in Västra Götaland County. Twelve kilometers of Lärjeån’s total 55-kilometer stretch have Natura 2000 status. Priority species such as salmon and river pearl mussels are found here. Previous habitat restoration and removal of migration barriers have been carried out by county councils and local associations, but there are still problems with the river’s ecological status.
Tracking fish movement patterns in Improve Aquatic LIFE
Within the Improve Aquatic LIFE project, a comprehensive study of fish migration using Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tags is being carried out. The aim of the study is to better understand how migratory fish species are affected by river restoration measures. By tracking fish movements, we can evaluate the impact of measures such as removing migration barriers, restoring natural stream habitats and improving water quality.
Europe’s largest water conservation project
Improve Aquatic LIFE is the name of one of Europe’s largest water conservation projects to restore aquatic environments and carry out measures in lakes, rivers and coastal waters in nine different counties, mainly in southern Sweden.
Improve Aquatic LIFE is funded by the EU, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, among others.