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Pilot project, Making the Iron Gate dams passable for Danube sturgeon
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Pilot project, Making the Iron Gate dams passable for Danube sturgeon

“WePass2”

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The Iron Gate 1 and 2 Dams in the Lower Danube River incorporate Europe’s largest run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plants and represent the most significant river continuity interruptions in the Danube River Basin (DRB), forming impassable barriers for migratory fish. In the Lower Danube downstream of the Iron Gate Dams, there are no further instream barriers. The restoration of river continuity at the Iron Gate Dams would open 880 km of the Danube River to the Gabčíkovo Dam (Slovakia), providing access to habitats and spawning grounds for migratory and endangered fish species along the main river (Middle Danube) and in the largest tributaries of the Danube. This will significantly improve (a) access, availability and connectivity to critical fish habitats within the DRB and (b) protection and conservation of migratory fish species in the DRB and its delta, with a focus on endangered species of high importance to the ecosystem and local communities. The restoration of fish migration at the Iron Gate Dams will pursue the objectives of relevant policies, regulations and frameworks. In particular, it will contribute to the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive, the EU Habitats Directive, the EU Nature Restoration Law, EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Bern and Bonn Conventions (including the Pan-European Action Plan for Sturgeons), the Action Plan of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and specifically to the DRB Management Plan and the ICPDR Sturgeon Strategy. This pilot feasibility study alias WePass2 investigated the options for providing upstream and downstream fish passage at the two Iron Gate Dams. It was concluded that the restoration of upstream fish passage and the improvement of downstream passage at the Iron Gate Dams are technically feasible, despite the challenging site-specific conditions, requirements and the necessary complex designs of the identified solutions. Following an options assessment, six permanent upstream fish passes, and four downstream passage measures are considered the preferred restoration solutions. Preliminary design has been completed for three of the six upstream fish passes. The feasibility of the four downstream passage measures is described, and the limitations and challenges to implementing are identified. A cost estimate is provided for all preferred upstream and downstream passage solutions; the projected specific costs for both Iron Gate Dams are in line with similar restoration efforts in other river basins. This pilot feasibility study will allow (a) informed investment and funding decisions to be made and (b) further design and implementation of the identified fish passage facilities and measures at the Iron Gate Dams to follow.
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ISBN 978-92-68-23806-6
DOI 10.2779/4146506
Katalognummer KH-01-25-006-EN-N
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ISSN ISBN 978-92-68-23806-6 DOI 10.2779/4146506 Katalognummer KH-01-25-006-EN-N
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