Iijoki

Template: Infobox River / Obsolete

The Iijoki [i ː jɔki ] (Swedish Ijo älv ) is a river in northern Finland. It rises in the Iijärvi lake in the municipality of Kuusamo and flows through the cities Taivalkoski, Pudasjärvi and Yli -Ii Ii and flows into the Gulf of Bothnia. With a length of 370 km, it is the fourth longest river in Finland. Its catchment area covers an area of ​​14,191 km ².

Between source and mouth of the Iijoki overcome a height difference of 250 meters. The river has numerous rapids. Those on the lower reaches of hydropower are clamped for the purpose. Since 1956, the five hydropower plants Maalismaa, Kierikki, Pahkakoski, Haapakoski and Raasakka emerged. At the upper reaches of the river, however, is largely left in a natural state.

The Iijoki has long been an important route. In the Middle Ages took advantage of both the settled along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia Finns as the Karelians of the White Sea coast the river for trade missions and went for hunting in the wilderness inhabited by semi-nomadic seeds river valley. In the 16th century, the sedentary settlement spread along the Iijoki. Until the 19th century the river was the only transport route, could be achieved over the places like Pudasjärvi. Even after roads had been created, the Iijoki for the rafting was used, which was discontinued in 1998.

Hydropower plants

On Iijoki are five major hydroelectric plants.