Many dams used for hydropower, agriculture and flood control measures still hinder fish and macrobenthos to swim unimpededly.
Although the discharges of saline wastewater have been limited, the water of the river is still extremely oversalted.
The water quality is endangered by intensive agriculture on the water meadows.
The building development on the water meadows eliminates areas of retention in case of floodings.
In Thuringia, 6 new crossings over the river are being planned.
The digging of gravel changes the landscape completely and leads to a sinking groundwater table and expedites evaporation.
Intensive tourism also disturbes the fauna indigenuous to these places such as the River Kingfisher
