The state of Balkan rivers 2025: Hydromorphological assessment and 13-year trends

The Balkan Peninsula is home to the most intact river systems in Europe—a "Blue Heart" of biodiversity and free-flowing water. However, as industrial pressures mount, this unique ecological heritage is facing a rapid and largely undocumented transformation.

This study, "The State of Balkan Rivers 2025," is the most comprehensive hydromorphological assessment conducted in the region. Building on the 2012 baseline, the author mapped and analysed over 83,000 kilometres of rivers to track the physical changes across the peninsula over the last 13 years. Utilising high-resolution satellite imagery and extensive field data, the report quantifies the "invisible" decline of these river systems, moving beyond hydropower to examine the cumulative impacts of gravel mining, sediment extraction, and infrastructure expansion.

The findings provide a sobering look at the erosion of Europe’s last wild river stronghold, while highlighting the legal and conservation precedents that offer a blueprint for the region's recovery.

Key features of the study include:

• A comparative analysis of river health from 2012 to 2025.
• Detailed catchments across Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, and beyond.
• A deep dive into the "HYMO" (hydromorphology) status of the entire Balkan network.

Download the full report (PDF)
Download the Summary (PDF)
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