Project Title: Inventory and Prioritisation of Barriers for the Ecological Restoration of the Ciuluc River Basin
Implementation Period: July 2026 – June 2027 (12 months)
Context and Justification
For years, small rivers in the Republic of Moldova have faced a less visible problem with profound environmental impacts: stream fragmentation. In the Ciulucul Mic river basin, dozens of old dikes, abandoned dams, sluices, ponds, and improper road crossings obstruct the natural flow of water. Many of these hydro-technical structures have an unclear legal status or have long lost their economic utility.
The consequences are direct and severe: sediment flow is blocked, the water loses its self-cleaning capacity, and fish as well as other aquatic organisms can no longer migrate to feed or reproduce. Furthermore, during periods of drought, fragmented rivers become extremely vulnerable.
This situation directly impacts the "Bălți Steppe" Emerald Site (MD0000017), a protected area of European interest covering over 12,000 hectares that shelters valuable meadow, steppe, and wetland habitats. To bring the Ciuluc River and its tributaries back to life, the essential first step is the precise identification of these obstacles and determining which ones can be safely removed or demolished.
Project Goals and Objectives
Main Goal: To create the first field-verified and mapped database of obstacles in the Ciuluc River basin, providing a clear technical foundation for future projects aimed at removing redundant dams and restoring free-flowing river conditions.
Key Activities
The project is structured into four main phases:
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Data Analysis and Preliminary Mapping: Reviewing existing hydrological documents and performing comparative analysis of satellite imagery and historic orthophotos (specifically from 2016 and 2020) to detect existing dams and their evolution over time.
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Field Assessment and Verification: Conducting field expeditions covering nearly 1,200 km of waterways. A team of experts will collect GPS coordinates, perform rapid measurements, photograph structures, and interview local residents and mayors to understand the history and utility of each obstacle.
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GIS Database Creation and Prioritization: Consolidating field data into an interactive digital map and applying a prioritization matrix. This will categorize barriers into three groups: recommended for complete removal, recommended for modification/modernization, or barriers to be retained due to their significant economic or social role.
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Public Consultation and Dissemination: Organizing roundtables and outreach events in Sîngerei and Telenești with key stakeholders—including the Ministry of Environment, "Apele Moldovei" Agency, local authorities, farmers, and citizens—to present findings and discuss next steps.
Expected Results
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Complete Inventory and GIS Database: A clear, updated record of all structures along the Ciulucul Mic, Ciulucul Mare, Ciulucul de Mijloc rivers, and their tributaries.
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Shortlist of Priority Dams for Removal: Precise identification of obstacles eligible for removal in the next phase, alongside cost estimates and feasibility insights.
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Increased Public Awareness: Greater community and institutional understanding of the ecological benefits of free-flowing rivers for biodiversity and water resource management.
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Policy Alignment: Direct contribution to the implementation of the Dniester River Basin District Management Plan and the conservation goals of the "Bălți Steppe" Emerald Site.
This project is supported by the European Open Rivers Programme - a Dutch grant-giving organisation dedicated to restoring rivers. The programme offers grants to support projects that lead to the removal of small dams and the restoration of river flow and biodiversity. The programme is funded by Arcadia.
