Turning Dams into Rapids – The example of Finland

Finland is famous for its thousands of lakes, but over 98.2% of rapids were dammed or cleared for industrial needs in the last hundred years. Today, as efforts to restore habitats for endangered trout and whitefish gain momentum, dam removals are becoming more common.

One recent example is the Virtaankoski project on the River Tainionvirta in the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark. In July 2024, kayakers were invited to help shape the restoration of Virtaankoski following the removal of an old dam. The aim was to restore fish passage while creating a semi-natural whitewater course for both training and recreation.

Virtaankoski is located in the village of Virtaa in Sysmä, a region recognized for its cultural, historical, and scenic value. The license for the Virtaankoski power plant dates back to 1863, and the Tainionvirta River has been dammed since the 1910s. The current plant, built in 1956, was shut down in 2012 when fisheries authorities required the owners to construct a fish passage before electricity generation could continue.

But the river, which spans about 37 kilometers from Lake Nuoramoinen to Lake Päijänne, is one of the most important spawning grounds for endangered Päijänne trout and whitefish. The location is also ideal for weekend paddlers, being just a two-hour drive from Helsinki and close to other major cities such as Lahti, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Kouvola.

The aim of this project was to develop Virtaankoski into a naturally restored, fishery-recovering, and ecologically diverse destination for nature, recreation, and tourism. The site is intended to positively impact the Päijänne ecosystem while contributing to the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark and the tourism offerings of Päijät-Häme and Sysmä.

After three and a half years of work—and months of collaboration between volunteers, environmental experts, engineers, and paddlers—the new Virtaankoski opened in June 2025, with Finland’s Prime Minister cutting the ribbon. This pioneering project aligned ecological goals with kayaking interests. The project required numerous workshops and site visits to ensure the riverbed was well shaped, the eddies suitable for paddling, and the bridge high enough to withstand flood events.

Kayakers can now arrange training camps and competitions with permits at Virtaankoski for junior-level canoe slalom and kayak cross events outside the fishing season. At the moment, local guidelines for kayaking and fishing are under negotiation. Work continues to improve and develop Virtaankoski and other rapids for kayaking.

Although not without challenges, the result is a pioneering example of how ecological restoration and paddling interests can be aligned. Led by Sysmän Tainionvirta Oy as a non-profit initiative, the project was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Finland, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and several private grants from companies and other organizations.

As efforts continue to improve Virtaankoski and other rivers across the country, the project stands as a hopeful model for how restoration and paddling can move forward together in Finland’s evolving riverscape.

Sources:

• Sysmän Tainionvirta Oy
• Jonne Hirvonen Suomen Melonta- ja Soutuliiton koskimelonnan olosuhdetyöryhmän puheenjohtajaksi  

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