The river was straightened and dredged in the 1970s. Most of the 73-kilometer-long river is on private lands, whose owners have the opportunity to receive state support for similar restoration.
Metsähallitus has been restoring Temmesjoki in Siikalatva and Liminga for the past couple of years. During the project, approximately five kilometers of the straightened riverbed were returned to their original structure.
Originally, the winding riverbed was cleared and dredged in the 1970s for flood protection. The river in its natural state was no longer able to transport the water coming from the drained marshes and fields, which caused floods in the nearby villages.
At the same time, the recreational use of the river and the living conditions it provides for fish and aquatic organisms deteriorated. Also, from time to time there was not enough water from the river to irrigate the crops along the river during the summer.
In connection with the restoration led by Metsähallitus, the goal has been to restore the river to its old channels, slow down the water flow and restore the river’s natural flood rhythm. This aims to diversify the habitats of the river and its vicinity and also restore the water economy of the marshes.
The work started at both sites in the winter of 2021 with the wood harvesting of the pavement of the old excavation masses and the preparation of access roads. Work was done in several stages during the years 2021–2022. The massive project included, among other things, filling the canal dug in the 1970s with old excavation materials, building dams, directing water to the old riverbed, and digging and stoning the ponds. In addition, the structure of the original river bed was diversified.
In order to regulate the flow speed, stone thresholds, current accelerators and sections of rapids were made, as well as dams to clean and oxygenate the water, equalize the flows and give the fish protection and wintering opportunities.
The Temmesjoki projects were implemented with funding from the EU’s Hydrology-LIFE project. Metsähallitus’ Nature Services was responsible for the planning and management of the works. The ELY Center of North Ostrobothnia also participated in the planning. The works were carried out by Metsähallitus’ local framework contract contractor SK Koneurakointi Oy.
Most of the 73 km long river is on private land. It is also possible to receive state support for similar restoration.
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