Swedes back dam removal only if ecological gains outweigh power loss
A new study of a Swedish river dam removal reveals that public support hinges on whether environmental benefits justify energy sacrifices. The finding challenges energy firms and policymakers to frame hydropower decisions around community values—recreation, culture, and ecosystem health—rather than engineering metrics alone.
Originaltitel: Rivers in transition: Local perceptions of a Swedish dam removal
<p>Effective and locally supported river restoration requires attention to the social dimensions of rivers. This paper examines local perceptions of hydropower and restoration in the river R & ouml;nne & aring;, an early case under Sweden's National Plan for Modern Environmental Conditions for Hydropower. A mixed-methods approach, including a questionnaire and qualitative interviews, explores how inhabitants relate to their river and view the removal of three low-production dams, offering one of the most detailed assessments of stakeholder values in a Swedish hydropower river. The findings reveal important tensions between energy production and ecological restoration: While hydropower retains cultural legitimacy, support declines when ecological costs outweigh energy benefits. The river holds strong recreational, cultural, and symbolic meanings, embedding dam removals in broader sociocultural contexts rather than solely technical or ecological. These findings highlight the importance of participatory efforts and governance that align ecological goals with the diverse ways people relate to rivers.</p>