An 800-year-old dam – described as the ‘worst’ barrier in Denmark – is set to be demolished, freeing up access for fish to spawning grounds for the first time since Medieval times.

The barrier at St. Jyndevad Mill has restricted fish from accessing 100 kilometres of watercourses in the upper part of the Vidå River. Now the Danish Municipality Aabenraa (Southern Denmark) is starting work to create free passage at the site, reports the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) member Danmarks Sportfiskerforbund. The removal of the dam was selected as a major priority as it currently prevents migratory fish from reaching important spawning and nursery  areas.

 

 

The Aabenraa Municipality has started to create a fauna passage that includes an approximately 1.3 kilometre-long new stream which will give fish such as houting, salmon, trout and lampreys free passage past both the 2.5 metre high dam and the Mill Pond. The project has been described as a great step forward for the connectivity of European rivers and the EU’s freshwater fish population rates in light of the 93% decline in freshwater fish migrations across Europe in the last 50 years.

Europe’s rivers remain the most fragmented in the world with a mean density of 0.74 barriers per kilometre. The EAA has been very vocal on the issue of free-flowing rivers.
Kaare Manniche Ebert, representative of EAA member, Dansmark Sportfiskerforbund, said: “River regulation has been a common practice for decades and in this case for centuries. Restoring river connectivity has many benefits for nature and society as they allow EU citizens access to the river and to enjoy outdoor activities such as angling.

“We look forward to seeing the completion of this project and hope that many freshwater species can reach – after so many centuries – their natural spawning grounds.”

Picture: Aabenraa Municipality.

 

Source: https://angling-international.com/2025/03/21/fish-return-to-spawning-areas-after-800-years/.