Volunteers to restore trout habitats at eight Pirkanmaa streams this summer and autumn

Restoration crews will revive trout streams across Pirkanmaa late this summer and early autumn. Kokemäenjoen vesistön vesiensuojeluyhdistys, the Kokemäenjoki watershed protection association, is organising volunteer work at eight flowing-water sites, Aamulehti reports.

Work will target urban and rural streams in Tampere: Vuohenoja, Härmälänoja, Houkankoski on Houkanoja and Turtolankoski on Vihioja. Other sites include Sikojoen Iharinkoski in Pirkkala, Koipikoski in Lempäälä and Penkkikoski on Korentioja in Valkeakoski.

Volunteers will return larger stones removed from channels to create deeper pools and more varied flows. They will add smaller stones as spawning gravel and juvenile beds to boost trout reproduction. The aim is healthier trout populations. Restoring more natural channel features should also reduce erosion that degrades water quality.

Earlier flowing-water restorations in Tampere have produced promising results. "It's largely thanks to the volunteers that trout are returning to Vihioja and Vuohenoja, and restoration work continues this year," the association said. The project follows the city's May volunteer cleanups, which mobilised 56 volunteer teams.