FINLAND AND ITS WATERWAYS

Finland is the land of thousands of lakes and islands - in fact 187,888 lakes, 5,100 rapids and 179,584 islands. Even though Finland is a Northern country and Tahko Water Route belongs to the westernmost part of the Siberian taiga the summers are fairly warm and the water in the lakes warms up quickly to swimming temperatures. The lake water is mostly clean enough to drink,
the many natural harbours offer shelter, toilets, waste disposal facilities and campfire sites. In early summer the light summer nights make boating possible almost day and night.

In Finland waterways are considered basic infrastructure the same way as roads. That is why the canals and locks are free (except Saimaa Canal). Most locks are self service with an emergency telephone number to call to if something goes wrong. No boating licence is required in Finland but some experience is needed
- the Saimaa waters are sometimes very rocky and it is essential to understand the route marks. The marinas have usually good services including pumps for bilge water and septic tanks as it is strictly forbidden to drop any waste to water. Marinas may have service fees but the smaller ones and natural harbours are usually free of charge.

Many Finns have boats and boating and fishing are very popular hobbies. Many people in the Tahko Water Route area speak English, and some even Swedish, German, or Russian. For travellers boating is a good way to meet locals! Angling is free
but for casting, trawling, fly fishing, netting etc. you need a fishing licence.

Kuopio town has good connections by car, rail and plain.
You can either rent a boat in Kuopio or Tahko or take a cruise in Juankoski or Nilsiä and Tahko. Tahko Water Route is also suitable for canoeing and rowing. You can rent canoes and boats either in Tahko or at the Kuopio end of the route. Kapteenin kirja
(The Captains Book, texts in Finnish only) has good charts of the route.

How to order The Captain´s Book

The Finnish Maritime Administration has good general web pages about boating in Finland.

ROUTE INFORMATION

Maps| Juankoski | Karjalankoski | Lastukoski |

Jännevirta Opening Bridge

Jännevirta Opening Bridge in Kuopio is part of the Saimaa Deep Channel. The bridge will be opened for pleasure boats Mon-Fri 6.30-8.00 and 16.00-18.00 only if there are bigger boats or regular traffic. When closed the air draught of the bridge is 1.4 m. Ask for the opening of the bridge by phoning +358 (0)17) 466 1194 or +358 (0)400 576394.

Air Draughts

Until Muuruvesi village harbour 18 m. Muuruvesi Bridge 14 m. Karjalankoski Lock 8 m. Lastukoski Lock only 4.3 m.

Locks

All three locks in Tahko Water Route are automatic self-service locks. They function slowly and do not make much turbulence. Juankoski and Niskakoski have very practical moving piers on the lock wall, Lastukoski has ropes to hold on to. The turbulence of the water is less severe at the back of the lock chamber (near the entry gates) so stay there if possible. Juankoski lock is near a hydroelectric power station that may cause whirls so be careful! The emergency phone numbers are to be found by each lock.

Check your fenders before entering the lock.

Wear a PDF and make sure the children wear their life jackets, too.

You must drive on the right. Leave the lock in the same order as you entered it.

HOW TO USE A LOCK:

1. The lock is ready to be used when there is a flashing yellow light together with a red light. Pull the rope in front of the lock. The yellow light shows that the lock is now operating. Do not steer your boat near the lock gates as there may be dangerous turbulence.

2. Wait till the gates are fully opened and the green light is continuously on. Drive very slowly to the lock chamber.

3. Tie up your boat - bigger ones in bow and stern - to the moving pier and turn your engine off. In Lastukoski lock hold on to the ropes alongside the lock chamber wall. Do not fasten the ropes, that way you might end up hanging on the lock wall!

4. Wait patiently. Drive out of the lock only when the gates are completely open and a green light is shown to you.

If you feel unsure of the locking, moore your boat and watch how others do it! It is not difficult.

CHARTS

Tahko Water Route has good charts in "Kapteenin kirja"
(Captain's Book) for 10 euros.

A free guide "Luonnollisesti Saimaalle!" (Naturally to Saimaa!) with English pages and explanations for the symbols is available from tourist offices.

The book "Saimaan käyntisatamat ja kanavat" (Saimaa's harbours and canals) costs 16 euros and covers all the harbours and canals in the Lake Saimaa district with maps and symbols, order kai.sourander@paijatmark.inet.fi.

If you plan to sail from the Gulf of Finland, remember the nautical charts. Order for example, from www.karttakeskus.fi. Saimaa Canal is covered by the chart series S, next ones on the Lake Saimaa water route are L Lappeenranta-Savonlinna, and M Savonlinna-Kuopio including Heinävesi Water Route.

MORE INFORMATION

Juankoski town
Ms Eila Puustinen, marketing secretary
Tel. +358 (0)17 616 208, (0)40 595 9380
Email eila.puustinen@juankoski.fi

Nilsiä town
Mr Mikko Lehto, trade promoter
Tel. +38 (0)17 482 400
Email mikko.lehto@nilsia.fi