The Tagliamento River, widely regarded as the last free-flowing river in the Alps, is studied around the world for its distinctive morphology. Since the 1990s, various proposals have been put forward to address the river’s hydrogeological risks, particularly at the request of communities living downstream. Although experts have developed less invasive solutions and distributed interventions along the river to reduce flood risk, in 2024 the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region approved a project for a 'bridge-dam', ostensibly to mitigate flooding but also potentially to facilitate the construction of a major arterial road. However, such a project would have a devastating impact on the Tagliamento’s ecosystem and appears to prioritise economic interests over ecological ones.
The Yesa reservoir on the River Aragón in Spain, which is known as the 'Pyrenees Sea' due to its size, is being expanded to double its capacity. This will improve irrigation and ensure a reliable supply of drinking water for almost a million people. Construction was scheduled for completion in 2005, but has experienced repeated delays, with the budget almost tripling in the process. Safety concerns have mounted due to landslides and structural cracks that have plagued the construction process. Different scientists have warned that the dam could break in the event of extreme rainfall, similar to that experienced in Valencia in October 2024. This could result in flooding that would affect hundreds of thousands of people.
Key Findings
- Despite the fact that key preparatory studies to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the 'laminating barrier' in Friuli are still missing, the Italian government has pledged €30 million to the project, as admitted by the Eastern Alps River Basin Authority.
- The project appears to contradict the principles of the EU Nature Restoration Law, which stipulates that at least 25,000 kilometres of river streams must be free of obstacles by 2030.
- Although the expansion of the Yesa dam is 80% complete, its promoter, the Ebro River Basin Authority, has admitted that the project has been temporarily suspended and will not be finished until the end of the decade.
- Despite ongoing efforts to stabilise the reservoir slope, safety concerns remain unaddressed, and opposition to the project is growing, including among those who were originally in favour.
Impact
After these articles were published, Italian journalists were invited to present their findings at an event organised by the group Bologna for Climate Justice. A representative from the Comitato Tagliamento Libero group was also present on the panel.
Illustration by Michele Lapini
