Stages of the Pielisjoki River

The water from Lake Pielinen, which belongs to the water system of Vuoksi, flows into Lake Pyhäselkä along the 67 kilometre riverbed of the Pielisjoki River. Based on its flow rate, it is the sixth fastest flowing river in Finland, and at one point it used to have 11 separate rapids. The Pielisjoki River was formed about 8,500 years ago, when water from Lake Pielinen broke through the esker of Uimaharju.

Since its birth the river has proved to be an important traffic route and a livelihood source for many people. Hunters, fishermen and traders were not the only ones who were utilizing the river; more sinister groups and bandits benefited from it as well. One of the most famous travellers on the river was Count Per Brahe during the 17th century, and after his trip he decided to establish Brahea, a.k.a. Lieksa, the first city in North Karelia.

Wood industry and sawmills began to emerge on the shores of the Pielisjoki River at the end of the 18th century, thanks to its good suitability for log driving. Log driving on the river started at the beginning of the 19th century. Timber rafting did not take over from the old method of log driving until around 1970. It is often forgotten as a means of transporting logs, even though it is still the cheapest method of transporting timber. However, the slowness of rafting has lead to wheeled transport methods becoming the dominant form.

The Pielisjoki River, famous for its rapids, was often improved when sawmill industry became more common in the 1860s, but the capacity of the river was not sufficient for the ever increasing traffic. The construction of canals was started in 1874, and the construction sites employed many people for several years. Altogether nine canals were completed. The canals opened up the river for bustling steam boat traffic and thus sped up the development of the nearby cities and municipalities.

At best there were several sawmills on the shores of Pielisjoki that provided jobs for people moving into the municipalities of the area, who in turn created more opportunities and brought new ideas with them. These days the shores of the river are used to construct apartments and holiday homes. The significant improvement in water quality in the 1990s has increased interest in river fishing, transportation, recreational use as well as organizing various events.