The Vjosa is sayed "wild" because its course has barely been disturbed by human. It is even one of the last large wild rivers of Europe (excepted Russia).

In such a river, the seasonal variations of the water level and flow happen naturally. Thanks to this balance, some particular habitats develop inside and next to the river. These habitats are suitable for many animal species (the European eel, the Stone loach Oxynoemacheilus pindus...), plant species and plant communities on its banks.

Also, the good hydro-morphological condition of a stream enables sediments flow and then avoids silting up, stagnation and eutrophication processes. It contributes in that way to its physical and chemical quality. [3].

At the same time, 8 dams are in project across the Vjosa, as shows the official document below. One of them called "Kalivaç" - near the city of Telepena - even started being constructed for a while in 2007. The project was interrupted and stays unfinished since then.
One single dam out of eight built would be enough to alter the whole river's flow.

Such issues about "ecological connectivity" of rivers is not only Albanian ! The dam projects on the Vjosa are part of a much larger building program of hydroelectric dams in the Balkans (see the map).

To take the French example, on the country's rivers and streams are (totally or partially) blocked every 6 km in average [1][2]whereas most of them do not have a known use[3]. In 2009 was launched a restoration plan, one reason of this being to compell with the EU Water Framework. The project "Rivière sauvage" initiated in 2007, is a conservation fund aiming at emphasizing the last few rivers in good ecological state of conservation. At a european scale, the Vjosa is one of the last rivers close to natural state[4]. Hence we consider it is of high importance to preserve it !

Albania is candidate to membership of the EU. But for now, it is not under the EU law at all. Albania is not to follow the european Environmental Impact Assessment procedure in case of disturbance or destruction of protected species and habitats before construction projects. It has no obligation either about water quality with the Water Framework Directive. Ulrike Lunacek, one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament claimed that “Albania is an EU candidate state and it would be disastrous if the most valuable natural treasures the country has to offer would be lost beforehand. At the very least, the government must assess the project Poçem according to EU standards before issuing a license for its construction” [5].

The dams projects are still on Albanian government's agenda, but some voices rise up against their construction. The most active NGO we know is called EcoAlbania, with whom we are in contact and who leads the campain "Save the Blue Heart of Europe" [6] We also found a kayak team called "Leeway Collective" who completed one year ago a project similar to ours. They flew down the Vjosa River kayaking and made a documentary video of their trip . You can watch it on the Internet, the pictures and landscapes are worth seeing !

Recently in June 2016, scientists gathered to ask for a moratory on tha dams constructions. Then on June 29 was organized in the European Parliament in Brussels a roundtable about the preservation of the Balkan rivers, particularly the Vjosa. Members of EU Parliament, delegates of NGO and an Albanian ambassador were there. In the resulting report[8], there is the underlying hope the Vjosa could be saved on economic arguments, thanks to the touristic benefits it creates. Let's hope so ! More widely, let's hope the Vjosa example will raise awareness about the importance to keep some rivers in good ecological quality and natural conditions.

Leeway collective - Watch the video
Learn more about the Vjosa and dams projects : http://balkanrivers.net/en/key-areas/vjosa-river

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