COST-EFFICIENCY ASPECTS FOR FISH PASSAGE RESTORATION IN THE RUHR RIVER BASIN

The protection and sustainable management of the aquatic ecosystems is the central aim of the European Water Framework Directive. Due to the aspiration for good ecological status of the water bodies free fish passage will play an important part in river basin management. The Ruhr River has seen severe anthropogenic modifications due to urbanisation and industrialisation in the 19th and 20th centuries leading in the existence of approx. 1,300 weirs within the Ruhr River Basin. The majority of the barriers are assessed as not passable or restricted passable.