Why fish lifts are needed

Millions of dams, weirs, sluices and culverts block rivers across Europe. Fish can no longer reach spawning grounds, feeding areas, or the sea. The result: declining fish populations, especially migratory species like eel, salmon, and sea trout.

The scale of the problem

Europe has over 1 million barriers in its rivers. This is not an estimate – it is a mapped figure from the AMBER project (Adaptive Management of Barriers in European Rivers).

Most barriers are low‑head weirs (1–3 metres). But thousands are higher – 3, 5, even 10 metres. At those heights, traditional fishways (pool‑and‑weir, Denil, rock ramps) are either impossible or extremely expensive.

The Netherlands alone has an estimated 20,000 barriers that hinder fish migration. Many are pumping stations and weirs with head heights of 2–5 metres.

What the law requires

EU Water Framework Directive
All surface waters must achieve "good ecological status" by 2027. River continuity – allowing fish to move freely – is a core requirement.

EU Eel Regulation (1100/2007)
At least 40% of adult silver eels must escape to the sea. Barriers are a major cause of mortality. Member states must take action, including installing fish passage solutions at priority barriers.

National laws and subsidies
Countries like the Netherlands have their own fish passage programmes (e.g., "Regeling Opvissen"). Grants are available for water boards, hydropower operators, and NGOs.

Why a fish lift?

At head heights below 2 metres, a simple fishway (including a passive tube fishway) can work. But above 3–5 metres, fish cannot swim against the flow. The only practical solution is a fish lift – a batch elevator that traps fish and lifts them upstream.

Conventional fish lifts use electricity, motors, control panels, and sensors. They are expensive, require regular maintenance, and fail when the power grid goes down.

Fish Lift Tube is different.
It uses only the existing water head – no electricity, no motors, no electronics. A simple hydraulic cycle (attract, capture, transport, deliver, drain) lifts fish over the barrier. Reliable, silent, and grant‑friendly.

How many barriers need a fish lift?

A precise number is impossible, but the scale is clear:

• Europe: Tens of thousands of barriers with head heights between 3 and 10 metres. Most have no fish passage or an inadequate one.
• Netherlands: Several hundred high‑head barriers (pumping stations, weirs on large rivers) are priority candidates for fish lifts.

Each barrier is a potential project.

Is your barrier one of them?

If you manage a dam, weir, pumping station, or hydropower plant with a head height of 3 metres or more – and fish migration is required by law – then a fish lift should be on your radar.

Fish Lift Tube offers a simple, proven, no‑electricity solution.

Contact us for a free initial assessment.
Tell us your head height, location, and target fish species. We will advise whether a Fish Lift Tube is suitable for your site.

 info@fishlifttube.com

Fish Lift Tube – hydraulic fish passage, no electricity, no compromises.