Restoring river basin habitats in Lapland

The Simojoki River
(photo: Aarno Torvinen)

A Finnish LIFE Nature project has successfully implemented river basin restoration actions to boost biodiversity and enhance water quality in the River Simojoki catchment.

Finland’s Simojoki River has survived in a near-natural state as one of the country’s last undammed mid-size river systems. Most other rivers have been harnessed for hydro-electric power. Simojoki’s waters are characterised by being low in nutrients, with water levels varying greatly by seasons and freezing in winter. Its river basin stretches over 190 km of southern Lapland and contains valued natural habitats for salmon, trout, whitefish and river lamprey. The river is designated as a Natura 2000 area.

Threats to the river basin’s environmental integrity and biodiversity include the impacts from changes that were made to the river flow patterns during the 1940s, 50s and 60s, to assist floating of logs for the forestry industry. Water quality has also been affected by out-flows from small housing settlements along the river banks and drainage of peat lands for extraction.

A LIFE Nature project was established to help tackle these concerns and restore the river’s ecological status, via habitat rehabilitation actions and enhanced water-protection measures. These had objectives to reduce pollution from agriculture, to monitor compliance of the forestry industry with pollution controls and to change these if necessary. New uses for former peat areas were explored and addressing waste pollution from settlements was also a priority for the LIFE project. Economic and social goals included improving educational and recreational uses in the river basin and developing opportunities for tourism.

LIFE outputs

Project work began by mapping the river’s hydrology, morphology, water quality, shore vegetation, bottom fauna, microhabitats and fish populations. Findings from the mapping exercise were used to design a programme of ecological improvements, such as providing new spawning grounds through graveling, use of stones and creation of pools. These habitat enhancements helped to strengthen the river’s ability to support salmon and trout, as well as other species like water mosses and bottom fauna. Salmon reproduction increased immediately after the LIFE works and results indicate numbers of young salmon may increase by between 5 000 and 7 000 a year.

61 rapids were restored
by the LIFE project
(photo: Aarno Torvinen)

Surveys of the forestry industry’s water-protection measures discovered some major deficiencies, including poor planning of filtration pools and lack of surface draining fields. A conference was organised to help raise awareness about these issues among foresters.

The main output from the LIFE project concerned the restoration of 61 rapids over 24.5 km. This also increased the area’s recreational appeal, and a river tourism guide was produced providing classification of the rapids for canoeists.

Other research established restoration options for two peat mining areas in the river basin area, including re-humidification of mires, creation of wetlands, development of grasslands and use for game.

The mapping and improvement of waste-water management in scattered settlements presented a challenge. Discussions with households that were not on mains waste-water drainage found that 30% of them lacked any filtration system. Information was provided to these residents about the legal requirement in Finland for all waste water to be directed to tanks by 2014.

All of the most important areas of the Simojoki were successfully restored during the LIFE period and by the project’s end the river’s ecological status was reported as “very good”. Further information about the river basin management activities is available from the project’s website.

"Restoration and protection of the River Simojoki"’
LIFE02 NAT/FIN/008465