Vuokala Waterway
The Vuokala waterway is a half-kilometre-long waterway in the middle of the village. There were two important dam structures between Lake Vuokalajärvi and Lake Saimaa Pyyvesi. The restoration of the natural waterway of the Vuokalankoski was realised in 2021.
Hydropower had been used on the Vuokalanreitti waterway since the 18th century, with an altitude difference of almost 10 metres. Electricity production in the area began in the 19th century. Now the Vuokala mill is a museum.
In February 2017, the Savonranta development foundation, which owns the area and the buildings, decided to discontinue low-efficiency electricity production at the power plant and convert the power plant’s dams into natural ground thresholds. Ground thresholds are stone dams that resemble natural rapids.
Pictures: WWF
The demolition of the dams and the restoration of the catchment will benefit, among others, the highly endangered brown trout. The catchment area has increased about fivefold and many new habitats have been created for all running water species. The area and the Kaida catchment above it have excellent water quality. The opening of the dams opened several dozen kilometres of waterways.
Besides the natural values, the project’s renovation works have a significant impact on the central water landscape of the village of Savonranta. Some dam structures and the museum mill have been preserved as part of the cultural-historical local landscape. The old mill is now a museum.
The Savonranta Development Foundation was the main responsible implementer of the project. WWF funded dam removal and provided expert assistance.
Brown trout
Source: WWF
