The overall objective of the SWIM project is to contribute to the restoration of functional river ecosystems and improve conditions for fish migration and connectivity between key fish habitats within the Danube River Basin. The project addresses the impacts of centuries of hydromorphological alterations, river fragmentation, construction of water infrastructure, pollution, and degradation of wetland and floodplain habitats, which have significantly affected fish populations and the overall biodiversity of river ecosystems.

At the Croatian pilot site of Noskovačka bara, the objective is to restore the hydraulic and ecological connectivity of the side arm with the Drava River and improve conditions for fish migration and reproduction. Particular attention will be given to improving water flow and hydrological dynamics, reducing the impacts of sediment accumulation and vegetation overgrowth, and restoring the functionality of aquatic and wetland habitats. At the same time, the restoration is expected to enhance the site's retention function during periods of high Drava water levels, thereby linking ecosystem restoration with sustainable water management objectives.

Through the application of advanced monitoring methods, including wireless telemetry, hydrological and climate modelling, and digital tools for monitoring fish migration corridors, the project will improve understanding of fish movements and the processes influencing the functionality of river habitats. The collected data will provide a basis for planning and prioritising future restoration measures and for supporting evidence-based water management decisions.

Expected results include improved connectivity between river habitats, restoration of degraded parts of the river system, increased availability of suitable habitats for fish migration, spawning and development, and enhanced overall ecological resilience of the river ecosystem. At the Danube Basin level, the project will also strengthen cooperation between institutions, experts and local stakeholders and contribute to the development of a common approach to sustainable water management and the conservation of migratory fish species.

The ultimate expected outcome of the project is the establishment of a more effective, integrated and data-driven approach to river ecosystem restoration that can be replicated and applied in other areas of the Danube Basin and beyond.

Dana 14. svibnja 2026. godine u Posjetiteljskom centru „Dravska priča“ održan je sastanak dionika u okviru aktivnosti na pilot području RS4.1, Noskovačka bara. Cilj sastanka bio je predstavljanje i razmatranje varijantnih tehničkih rješenja za restauraciju rukavca rijeke Drave te prikupljanje mišljenja i prijedloga relevantnih lokalnih i regionalnih dionika prije konačnog odabira tehničkog rješenja.

Na sastanku su, uz hrvatske projektne partnere, sudjelovali predstavnici lokalnih športskih ribolovnih udruga, lovačkih udruga, predstavnici lokalne i regionalne samouprave te lokalni poljoprivrednici i drugi korisnici prostora. Sudionicima su predstavljene osnovne značajke postojećeg stanja Noskovačke bare, identificirani hidromorfološki problemi te ciljevi planirane restauracije, s posebnim naglaskom na poboljšanje hidrološke povezanosti rukavca s rijekom Dravom, povećanje dinamike protoka i poboljšanje uvjeta za razvoj i očuvanje vodenih i močvarnih staništa.

Predstavljena su različita tehnička rješenja restauracije, uključujući mogućnosti poboljšanja ulaznog i izlaznog profila rukavca, uklanjanja odnosno preoblikovanja prepreka koje ograničavaju protok vode te optimizacije geometrije korita radi uspostave povoljnijih hidrauličkih uvjeta. Razmatrani su i mogući utjecaji predloženih zahvata na postojeće korištenje prostora, ribolov, lov, poljoprivredne aktivnosti i druge interese lokalne zajednice.

Tijekom rasprave dionici su iznijeli svoja mišljenja, prijedloge i primjedbe vezane uz predložene varijante, pri čemu su posebno razmotreni aspekti pristupa lokaciji, budućeg održavanja, uvjeta za ribolov i očuvanja postojećih funkcija područja. Prikupljene informacije predstavljale su važan ulaz za daljnju razradu tehničke dokumentacije i usklađivanje planiranih mjera s potrebama lokalne zajednice.

Na temelju provedene rasprave i razmotrenih tehničkih, okolišnih i društvenih aspekata, na kraju sastanka postignut je konsenzus o odabiru preferentnog varijantnog rješenja restauracije Noskovačke bare. Odabrano rješenje predstavljat će osnovu za daljnju tehničku razradu i pripremu dokumentacije potrebne za provedbu planiranih restauracijskih mjera na pilot području RS4.1.

Od 21. do 24. travnja 2026. godine u Pragu, Republici Češkoj, održan je drugi sastanak Generalne skupštine korisnika projekta SWIM (GAB2), na kojem su sudjelovali partneri projektnog konzorcija, uključujući predstavnike Hrvatskih voda.

Tijekom sastanka predstavljen je napredak projekta po radnim paketima te su kroz projektne radionice razmijenjena iskustva o provedbi aktivnosti, tehničkim rješenjima i izazovima u realizaciji planiranih zadataka. Projektni tim Hrvatskih voda predstavio je deliverable „Water Quality Monitoring Plan“, kojim su definirana područja uzorkovanja za svaku referentnu pilot lokaciju, metodologija prikupljanja uzoraka vode te fizikalni, kemijski i ekološki parametri koji će se analizirati u okviru monitoringa kvalitete vode.

Posebna pažnja posvećena je koordinaciji aktivnosti na referentnim lokacijama i dogovoru o narednim koracima u provedbi projekta.

U sklopu sastanka organiziran je i terenski posjet pilot području u slivu rijeke Morave. Sudionici su imali priliku upoznati se s postojećim stanjem područja te provedenim i planiranim mjerama usmjerenima na obnovu riječnih i močvarnih staništa i poboljšanje ekološkog stanja vodotoka.

Sastanak i terenski posjet bili su prilika za razmjenu praktičnih iskustava među partnerima te dodatno povezivanje aktivnosti usmjerenih na održivo upravljanje i obnovu vodnih ekosustava.

Dana 2. prosinca 2025. partneri odgovorni za referentne lokacije (RS) 4.1 i 4.2 – Hrvatske vode, Javna ustanova Priroda Virovitičko-podravske županije, Hidroing i ŠRU Odra, zajedno s vodećim partnerom UNIZG FSB i voditeljem WP6, AIH, sastali su se u Posjetiteljskom centru „Dravska priča“, u neposrednoj blizini lokacije SWIM RS4.1, Noskovačke bare.

Cilj sastanka bio je definirati vremenski plan i tijek aktivnosti potrebnih za uspješnu provedbu planiranih aktivnosti na RS4.1 i RS4.2. Na kraju sastanka sudionici su obišli virovitičke ribnjake, gdje će se uzgojene migratorne vrste riba prilagoditi uvjetima prirodnog staništa prije njihovog poribljavanja na području Noskovačke bare.

Projekt SWIM službeno je započeo u rujnu 2025. godine u Zagrebu, gdje su se okupili projektni partneri kako bi obilježili početak zajedničkog rada na obnovi staništa migratornih vrsta riba i poboljšanju stanja slatkovodnih ekosustava. Na sastanku su predstavljeni glavni ciljevi projekta, planirane aktivnosti i pristup provedbi mjera na sedam pilot područja. Poseban naglasak stavljen je na suradnju znanstvenih institucija, tijela javne uprave, nevladinih organizacija i lokalnih zajednica. Kick-off sastanak time je označio početak četverogodišnje suradnje usmjerene na obnovu bioraznolikosti, povećanje otpornosti riječnih ekosustava i dugoročno poboljšanje stanja voda u slivu Dunava i sjeverozapadnom dijelu Crnog mora.

On 14 May 2026, a stakeholder meeting was held at the Visitor Centre “Drava Story” as part of the activities implemented at the RS4.1 pilot site, Noskovačka Bara. The purpose of the meeting was to present and discuss alternative technical solutions for the restoration of the Drava River side arm and to collect feedback and recommendations from relevant local and regional stakeholders prior to the final selection of the preferred technical solution.

In addition to the Croatian project partners, the meeting was attended by representatives of local sport fishing associations, hunting associations, local and regional authorities, local farmers and other land users. The participants were presented with the existing conditions of Noskovačka Bara, the identified hydromorphological constraints and the objectives of the planned restoration, with particular emphasis on improving the hydrological connectivity of the side arm with the Drava River, enhancing flow dynamics and improving conditions for the development and conservation of aquatic and wetland habitats.

Several technical restoration options were presented, including possibilities for improving the inlet and outlet sections of the side arm, removing or modifying structures and other constraints limiting water flow, and optimising the channel geometry in order to establish more favourable hydraulic conditions. The potential impacts of the proposed interventions on existing land use, recreational fishing, hunting, agricultural activities and other local interests were also discussed.

During the discussion, stakeholders provided their views, recommendations and comments on the proposed alternatives. Particular attention was given to site accessibility, future maintenance requirements, conditions for recreational fishing and the preservation of existing functions and uses of the area. The information and feedback collected during the meeting provided an important basis for further development of the technical documentation and for aligning the planned restoration measures with the needs and interests of the local community.

Based on the discussion and consideration of the technical, environmental and socio-economic aspects of the proposed alternatives, the stakeholders reached a consensus on the selection of the preferred technical solution for the restoration of Noskovačka Bara. The selected solution will serve as the basis for further technical development and preparation of the documentation required for the implementation of the planned restoration measures at the RS4.1 pilot site.

From 21 to 24 April 2026, the second General Assembly of Beneficiaries of the SWIM project (GAB2) was held in Prague, Czech Republic, bringing together partners of the project consortium, including representatives of Croatian Waters.

During the meeting, project progress across the Work Packages was presented, while dedicated workshops provided an opportunity to exchange experience on project implementation, technical solutions and challenges. The Croatian Waters project team presented the deliverable “Water Quality Monitoring Plan”, which defines the sampling areas for each reference site, the methodology for water sample collection, and the physical, chemical and ecological parameters to be analysed as part of the water quality monitoring activities.

Particular attention was given to the coordination of activities at the reference sites and the next steps for the upcoming project period.

As part of the meeting, the participants also visited a pilot area in the Morava River basin. The field visit provided an opportunity to learn about the existing conditions of the area and the restoration measures implemented or planned to improve the ecological condition of watercourses and restore riverine and wetland habitats.

The meeting and field visit provided a valuable opportunity for partners to exchange practical experience and strengthen cooperation on sustainable water management and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems.

On the 2nd December 2025. Partners responsible for the Reference site (RS) 4.1 and 4.2 Croatian Waters, Public Institutions Nature Virovitca, Hidroing, ŠRU Odra together with lead partner UNIZG FSB and WP6 leader AIH met at the visitor center “The Drava Story” in the near proximity of the SWIM RS4.1 location Noskovačka bara. 

The purpose of the meeting was to define the timeline and workflow of the activities necessary for the successful implementation of planned actions at RS4.1 and RS4.2. At the end of the meeting, participants visited the Virovitica ponds, where bred migratory fish will undergo adaptation to natural habitat conditions before being released into the Noskovačka bara area.

The SWIM project officially kicked off in September 2025 in Zagreb, bringing project partners together to mark the beginning of a joint effort to restore habitats for migratory fish species and improve the health of freshwater ecosystems. The meeting introduced the project's main objectives, planned activities and the implementation approach across seven pilot sites. Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation between research institutions, public authorities, non-governmental organisations and local communities. The kick-off meeting marked the beginning of a four-year collaboration aimed at restoring biodiversity, increasing the resilience of river ecosystems and contributing to the long-term improvement of water ecosystems across the Danube Basin and the north-western Black Sea region.