From Broken Rivers to Free-Flowing Rivers
Weir at Ximonde, in the river Ulla, Galicia (Spain) – Photo © Jorjum
Reducing Uncertainty to Effectively Restore Free-Flowing Rivers
Barriers
What is a Barrier?
We consider ALL barriers to free flow: longitudinal, such as dams, weirs or culverts, as well as lateral ones, such as embankments or levees.
Break
River Connectivity
We acknowledge all aspects of river connectivity, including the exchange of sediment, energy and living organisms.
Rivers
Are Fragmented
We study fragmentation across whole river networks, considering their spatial distribution and cumulative impacts.
Latest news
Accounts of an impassable barrier – Raúl’s bachelor thesis
Raúl Díaz Hermida analyzed 310 videos of the Ximonde weir, revealing 374 fish attempts to pass, none successful. This highlights the weir’s significant barrier to upstream fish migration in the river Ulla, affecting…
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Can fish shape predict swimming and leaping performance? – Daniela’s bachelor thesis
Daniela Fernandez’s thesis investigates how fish body shapes relate to swimming performance in Spanish freshwater species. Her models reveal that many species struggle with barriers, emphasizing the need for broader studies beyond economically…
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Field technician for summer season 2026
We are looking for a field technician to help with FREEFLOW’s project field work this summer season. Experience in stream sampling is sought. Apply via this link.
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Our Projects
Try out our game: El Juego del Salmón
the first salmon to reach the headwaters wins!
The first version of our game is out for everyone to download and play! Become a salmon in its upstream migration where you will have to jump over dams, avoid predators and pollution and even demolish or construct dams to slow down opponents and become the first salmon to reach the spawning grounds!
FreeFlowLab 