For the first time in Greece, all the barriers within the Sarantaporos river basin have been digitally mapped as part of the MapStream project, implemented by MedINA. This action marks a decisive first step toward the restoration of river ecosystems in our country, in line with the Nature Restoration Regulation.
The MedINA team, consisting of three field experts, spent over 50 days in the field, covering more than 400 km of the Sarantaporos River and its tributaries. As a result, more than 200 human-made barriers were recorded and mapped.
Sarantaporos is a significant river, part of the unique Aoos/Vjosa river network – one of the last wild river systems in Europe. It hosts rare and endangered species, including 11 freshwater fish species, some of which are found in Greece exclusively in this region!
However, numerous barriers – such as weirs, fords, and culverts – interrupt the natural flow and ecological connectivity, hindering the free movement of organisms and sediments, and disrupting this unique ecosystem.
Through the mapping of these barriers and the creation of the MapStream geodatabase, MedINA aims to provide an important tool for environmental policy and applied river management, with a focus on restoring river ecosystems using clear, evidence-based data.
The detailed database spatially shows all barriers and obstructions along the Sarantaporos, and includes photos, coordinates, key features, and further information regarding their functionality and maintenance status.
At the same time, MedINA developed an innovative methodology to assess the barriers, aiming to identify which ones need to be removed. This evaluation considered factors such as functionality, accessibility, and proximity to other barriers.
This comprehensive model for data collection and barrier assessment can be applied more broadly, as it can be replicated in other regions as well. It serves as a valuable tool for national and regional authorities, significantly supporting the implementation of the European Nature Restoration Regulation, which aims to restore at least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers across Europe by 2030.
Explore the geodatabase here and see detailed data on the mapping and assessment of the barriers in the project’s Story Map here.
The project was implemented under the MapStream initiative, with funding from the European Open Rivers Programme.