South Korean Rivers Need Weirs Removed to Breathe

Environmental activists are pushing for the removal of unnecessary weirs, or small dams, from local rivers across South Korea, asserting that these structures obstruct natural water flow, fragment ecosystems, and lead to water pollution. The "Village River Collective" project, supported by the Forest for Peace Foundation and the Global Coca-Cola Foundation, involves five civic groups nationwide investigating and preparing for weir removals in their respective areas.

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This is where the largest weir on Tancheon, Baekhyeon Weir, used to be. After removing the weir in 2022, sandbars naturally formed as the water flowed, but they are disappearing again as the riverbed is dredged. If the water flow and sandbars were maintained, citizens could enjoy 'river bathing' here.

In Seongnam's Tancheon River, the removal of the Baekhyeon Weir, once the largest structure on the river, initially showed positive results. Following its demolition in 2022, natural sandbars began to form as water flowed freely. Water quality improved significantly, reaching Class 1 levels for the first time since measurements began in 1998. However, subsequent "riverbank protection" projects involving the placement of large stones and "stone nets" to create artificial rapids have marred the restored landscape, according to Lee Hee-ye, secretary-general of the Seongnam Environmental Movement Federation.

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We built a stone net on the riverbed to create rapids, but it's like installing another artificial structure that obstructs the water flow.

While the Baekhyeon Weir's removal was a success, the site of the nearby Baeggung Weir, also removed, presents a less optimistic outcome. Here, stone nets installed on the riverbed create artificial rapids, disrupting the natural flow. Seongnam City officials claim these interventions are necessary to prevent riverbed erosion and protect infrastructure, but activists argue that managing water levels and flow artificially contradicts the goal of ecological restoration. They advocate for natural riverbeds with varying depths, sandbars, and gravel beds, emphasizing the importance of both longitudinal and lateral connectivity for river health.

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The city claims residents prefer a river with a lot of water. We need to broaden the understanding that natural water flows and riverside spaces are more beautiful and ecologically important.

The movement to remove weirs is gaining momentum, drawing parallels with global trends. The United States has removed over 2,240 dams since 1912, and Europe dismantled 542 dams in 2023 alone, reconnecting thousands of kilometers of rivers. Organizations like American Rivers and Dam Removal Europe highlight that healthy, free-flowing rivers provide diverse habitats, purify water, mitigate flood risks, and enhance resilience to climate change. Despite these successes, funding for further weir removals in South Korea has stalled under the current government, leaving many projects in limbo.

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Healthy, free-flowing rivers provide a wide range of habitats for diverse wildlife, and these 'aquatic landscapes' help purify water, reduce flood risk, and better withstand the impacts of climate change.