Vezišnica barriers, River Vezišnica, Montenegro

First dam removals in Montenegro

Barrier removal

Three longitudinal barriers (weirs) were illegally built in 2013 on River Vezišnica aiming to divert water into artificial fishponds. The fishponds were never operative, and the weirs remained obsolete and in continuous decay over the years. All three structures were 2-2.5 m high and 3-7 m long, situated in close distance with each other in the north-central part of the country (latitudes: 43.316639, 43.317278, 43.317694; longitudes: 19.327194, 19.326444, 19.326) (Figure 1) and were unsurpassable barriers hindering upstream migration of fishes (Figures 2-3).

Figure 1. Location of the three barriers in River Vezišnica in Montenegro

Figure 2. The largest of the three Vezišnica barriers (photo by Branka Španiček) 

Figure 3. The most upstream located of the three Vezišnica barriers (photo by Branka Španiček) 

Based on the Law on Inspection Supervision and the Law on General Administrative Procedure the Inspector for Construction and Water of the Communal Police Service of Municipality of Pljevlja made the official decision to remove the illegally constructed barriers, even though an environmental impact assessment did not occur beforehand. The removal process consisted of lobbying activities and preparatory work that started in early 2021 and included meetings, on-site inspections, data collection and acquisition of relevant permits. All preparatory activities were finalized by early October 2021 and the removals were executed later that month (Video 1) reconnecting ~15 km of the river. The biggest of the three weirs was demolished on October 20th (Figure 4; Video 2), and the remainder two barriers were removed the following day (Figure 5; Video 3). The project was financed by WWF Netherlands, supported by The Nature Conservancy, and were completed in cooperation with the municipality, the ministry and the “Lipljen-Pljevlja” Sports and Fishing Club. The total cost of the project was 9000 EUR. 

Video 1. Demolition of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 

“We welcome the initiative to remove obsolete, undesirable, and dysfunctional barriers from rivers. By joining the initiative, Pljevlja Municipality and the wider community directly contribute to the achievement of environmental goals, both national and international, especially in the context of improving the ecological status of rivers”, said Mervan Avdović, vice-president of Pljevlja Municipality.

Figure 4. Demolition of the largest of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (photos by Branka Španiček) 

Video 2. Demolition of the largest of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (video by Branka Španiček)  

“The municipality of Pljevlja recognized the opportunity to remove three dams on Vezišnica and joined the invitation that WWF Adria sent to municipalities and public institutions in Montenegro and Croatia. Considering that by removing the three dams on Vezišnica, it will again become a free-flowing river, we are especially happy that this is the first dam removal site in the region. We would like to replicate this success in Croatia and Slovenia, but also continue our efforts in Montenegro, where the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism has expressed a desire for us to work together on this issue,” said Branka Španiček, coordinator of the dam removal initiative at WWF Adria. 

Figure 5. Demolition of the most upstream located of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (photo by Branka Španiček) 

Video 3. Demolition of the most upstream located of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (video by Branka Španiček) 

Ecological and community benefits 

The removal of the three barriers (Figures 6-7) has positively affected the hydro-morphological status of River Vezišnica and has led to improved habitat conditions for fishes and other species living in the river. The removals also eliminated the flood risk since the accumulated debris and waste behind the barriers were removed. In addition, the recreational and aesthetic value of the sites and the whole river have increased substantially. The successful completion of this project initiated another one that aims to identify the barriers in the upper course of River Zeta catchment.

Figure 6. Site after the demolition of the largest of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (photo by Branka Španiček) 

Figure 7. Site after the demolition of the most upstream located of the three Vezišnica barriers in October 2021 (photo by Branka Španiček) 

“This initiative is not only an effort of the Ministry to meet European standards and its commitments towards the European Union but also part of our mission to educate the public about these activities. It is important to explain and raise public awareness on the importance of biodiversity, and the impact of putting individual needs before nature through reckless and unprofessional behaviour that leads to far-reaching consequences at the expense of the entire society”, said Tamara Brajović, Director General of the Directorate of Nature at the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism.

Before & After photo pairs

The removal site at River Vezišnica: (left) before and (right) after the removal operations of the largest of the three barriers (photos by Branka Španiček) 

The removal site at River Vezišnica: (left) before and (right) after the removal operations of the second of the three barriers (photos by Branka Španiček) 

Written by Foivos A. Mouchlianitis