Lithuania’s dams deteriorate rapidly as funding for repairs remains scarce

Nearly half of Lithuania’s dams are in poor or emergency condition, yet only a handful are repaired each year due to a lack of funding, LRT reports.

The country has around 1,300 dams, with approximately 500 classified as in critical or poor condition. Most were built over 50 years ago. While some dams serve essential functions—such as flood control, water level regulation, and environmental protection—many are no longer in use.

Local authorities struggle to allocate sufficient funds for maintenance. Pakruojis district, for example, spends about €30,000 annually on minimal upkeep and minor repairs, though officials admit far more is needed. “Dams are strategic objects,” said Simona Lipskytė, deputy mayor of Pakruojis district. A major renovation of one dam in the area, long overdue, is expected this autumn, funded by a national budget allocation of over €300,000.

Finding specialists capable of such work is another challenge. “We tried to commission a design two years ago and had to turn to an international project just to purchase the plans—there simply aren’t enough experts,” said Lilija Savickienė, head of the Pakruojis Agriculture Department.

The Environment Ministry encourages municipalities to identify and remove unnecessary dams to restore natural river flows, offering financial support for such projects. Under recent amendments to the Water Law, dams with no functional purpose must be dismantled. So far, only three have been removed, with plans to demolish nine more in the coming years.

For dams linked to land reclamation systems, the Agriculture Ministry provides funding. This year, six such dams are slated for repair by the end of 2026.