Finland's first downhill smolt migration route to be built in Haapakoski, Iijoki
In order to secure the downward migration of salmonids, a construction contract worth over EUR 1.5 million will be launched in Haapakoski, Iijoki, in November. The construction of a downhill migration route is a great example of what can be achieved through extensive cooperation. This project will provide us with valuable information and experiences that we can use in our future projects," says CEO Jani Pulli from PVO-Vesivoima Oy. The smolts' downward migration path and catchment device consist of a funnel extending to the upper channel of the power plant, flip-flops placed in the funnel, two catchment cage and two pipes, each with a diameter of 1 m. The shorter pipe serves as a water discharge pipe as needed. The longer pipe, 130 m, passes through the heel below the dam to the lower channel of the power plant. This tube allows fish to migrate if they are not caught for research or over-transfers. The downhill migration path shall be operated at a flow rate of 1 to 3 m3/s. [caption id="attachment_20224" align="alignnone" width="300"] The Smolt migration path will be built between turbines and hatches.[/caption] In line with the Water Vision 2030, the Iijoki River aims to restore the natural life cycle of salmonids. The success of the downward migration of the Smolts is one of the key elements in this whole. In 2019, a smolt fence was installed in Haapakoski. The downhill migration route now being built will complete the whole and enable the migration of fish, says Mirko Laakkonen, Project Manager at the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia for the Iijoki migration fish project 2020-2022. OMP-Konepaja Oy was selected as the construction contractor for the downhill migration route following the tendering procedure. The construction consultant is CC Control Oy. The fairway was designed by Sweco Structural Engineering Ltd. The construction work will be completed in 2021. It is great to be able to build Finland's first downhill migration route for smolts. The project also includes the engineering, manufacturing and installation of a fish catching device. We have strong expertise in similar projects, says CEO Vesa Korkiakoski from OMP-Konepaja Oy. [caption id="attachment_21002" align="alignnone" width="300"] PVO Vesivoima Oy. Signature of the Haapakoski Downhill Passage Agreement.[/caption] The construction of the Downhill Passage is part of the Iijoki Migratory Fish Project 2020-2022. Other measures of the project include the over-transfer and monitoring of salmonids and the restocking of small juveniles. The project is implemented by PVO-Vesivoima Oy, the Lapland ELY Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ii, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Taivalkoski, Kuusamo, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, the Iijoki fishing area, Metsähallitus, the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre and the Natural Resources Institute Finland. The project is coordinated by the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. The total budget of the project is approximately EUR 2.2 million. The project has received funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's NOUSU programme, which improves the living conditions of migratory fish and aims to restore the natural reproduction of migratory fish stocks in Finland's current waters. Additional information: Mirko Laakkonen, Project Manager, Iijoki migratory fish project 2020-2022,…
