8. Pajakkakoski (The Pajakkakoski rapids)
Pajakkakoski is the first of three rapids of the Pajakkajoki River. The Pajakkajoki River has the highest river discharge among all free-flowing rapids in the Kainuu region. The length of the Pajakkakoski Rapids is 450 meters with a 2,4-meter drop in elevation, and further downstream the Akonkoski and Saarikoski Rapids follow. The name “Pajakkajoki” has been assumed from Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), also called “pajakka” in Finnish, growing on the banks of the river.
Rocky rapids have historically been a hindrance to waterway usage. The clearing of rapids was carried out in large scale in Finland as relief work especially in the years of crop failures of the 19th century. The clearance work on the Pajakkakoski Rapids was carried out in 1870, when boulders were cleared from the river channel and the riverbank stone pier, known as “möljä” in Finnish, was constructed. The pier facilitated towing of boats upstream and prevented log jams from accumulating on the shore. In 1907, the pier along the Pajakkakoski Rapids was extended by another 100 meters. Since then, it has undergone further restorations in 1999 and 2013.
The floating of timber from the headwaters to the sawmills and other industrial facilities required a lot of seasonal labour. Many of the work stages of log driving required both strength and skill. To promote the log drivers’ culture and make it better known, log drivers’ games were organized in Kuhmo since 1947. The sports in the games included twisting a rope from young spruce, tug of war, punting on a log with a pike pole and whitewater rafting on a log. The games were popular, and in the best years they gathered more than 10,000 spectators.
See also: English – Tukkilaiset.com – Tukkilaisperinnesivusto
Timber rafting tradition – Elävän perinnön wikiluettelo (aineetonkulttuuriperinto.fi)
Nowadays the Pajakkakoski and Saarikoski Rapids are popular recreational fishing sites. This has not always been the case, as fishing rights on the rapids were exclusively reserved for the Ikola Rectory from the 18th century onwards. Several lawsuits were carried on upon this dispute during the 19th century, and as late as in 1955, the then-owner of the rectory still prohibited the sale of fishing permits on the rapids.
The Koskipolku Path follows along the banks of the Pajakkakoski Rapids and leads to the Suvanto lean-to about one kilometre away.
X. The riverbank stone pier, called “möljä”