The Dam Comes Down and the Trout Triumph

In the video, we investigates the dismantling of the Virtaankoski dam and its impacts. Virtaankoski is located in Sysmä and connects Lake Päijänne with Lake Jääsjärvi in Hartola. The dam has blocked the migration of anadromous fish, such as brown trout and char, for decades. With the dam's removal, fish will once again be able to ascend to Tainionvirta to spawn, which will revitalize fish populations and the entire river ecosystem.
The video features expert and local perspectives on the dam removal and its benefits:
Fishing:
The removal of the dam improves the brown trout population in Lake Päijänne and offers new fishing opportunities.
Canoeing:
The free-flowing rapids are ideal for canoeing.
Nature tourism:
Nature trails and other tourism services are planned for the area.
Cultural heritage:
Old mill and power plant buildings will be preserved and repurposed.
Local economic impacts:
The dam removal has positive effects on tourism and vitality in Sysmä.
The video also presents the history of Virtaankoski and its significance in the creation of Rapala lures. Additionally, we follow experimental fishing to map the fish population in the rapids area.
Virtaankoski has a rich history. The area once hosted two manor houses, with Virtaan Manor developing small-scale industry in the late 19th century. The manor's owner, Magnus Tandefelt, established a distillery and alcohol refinery, harnessed the power of the rapids, and produced barges. Fishing has always been an important livelihood and food source for the area’s residents.
Tainionvirta was dammed in the 1910s, and the hydropower plant has been in operation since the 1950s. The current plant has been closed since 2012. At the end of 2021, Hiitolanvoima Oy bought the power plant and transformed it into a non-profit organization called Sysmän Tainionvirta Oy.
People featured in the video:
Matti Viialainen, Sysmän Tainionvirta Oy
Juhani Stjernvall, Virtaan Manor
Tiina Stjernvall, Virtaan Manor
Lilli Karola, Chair of the Municipal Board, Sysmä
Lasse Peltonen, Mayor of Sysmä
Markku Lepistö, Fishing Supervisor
Tomi Ranta, Häme Fisheries Center
Marko Puranen, Häme Fisheries Center (second electro-fisher)
Fish photos from Tainionvirta and images by Toivo Pylväläinen are from Markku Lepistö’s archive.
Postcards are from Heikki Helin’s archive.
In collaboration with:
Vapaa Virtaankoski II project
www.virtaankoski.fi