In case you missed it: On March 3, 2026, International Rivers, together with partner organizations, hosted the webinar “From Obsolete Dams to Restored Rivers: Global Lessons for Chile.” Moderated by Juan Pablo Orrego (Ecosistemas), the event brought together diverse perspectives on dam removal as a tool for river restoration in Chile. Speakers included Malen Leubü from the Biobío region, sharing a Mapuche territorial perspective on the impacts of dams; representatives from the Open Rivers Programme, discussing three decades of dam removal efforts in Europe; Futaleufú Riverkeeper, presenting lessons from the Klamath River—the largest dam removal project in the world; International Rivers, highlighting trends and experiences in the United States; and ONG Defensa Ambiental, examining Chile’s legal and policy frameworks for dam removal.
The conversation explored technical, cultural, and policy dimensions of restoring free-flowing rivers and opened an important dialogue about the future of Chile’s rivers.
Watch the full recording below.