Background
Today there is almost no streams in Sweden untouched by human hand. When the industrialization started in the second half of the 1900th century the need for timber increased dramatically. To transport the timber out of the deep forests to the industries along the coast the water courses were used. To efficiently float the timber the water courses were cleared from boulders and straightened. This made the rivers more uniform and channelized with smooth riverbeds and walled in riparian zones. This benefits only a few species but for most of the stream living organisms the habitats are destroyed.
When the timber floating era ended due to the better possibilities to transport timber with trucks using the expanding road system another problem raised. Road culverts were often poorly placed in the small streams and made migration up the stream harder or even impossible. For the benefit for humans also the large number of dams have been made, often different types of mills. Many of these dams are not in use today but still cause problems as the structures in the water still are present and prevent migration.
Because of this a new project has started to improve the water courses of Ljusnan and Voxnan in the county of Gävleborg and Gimån in the county of Jämtland.
Aim
The aim with this project is to re-create a diverse aquatic environment without migration barriers which in turn will increase the biodiversity and a strengthen the natural flora and fauna in these streams. This gives a good mix of habitats for fish in all life stages, freshwater pearl mussels, otters, mosses and other species.
Project goals
- 120 kilometers/370 hectare restored stream habitats
- 320 spawning grounds for brown trout
- Good ecological status for the majority of the streams.
- To fix migration hinders: 14 dams and 38 road culverts
- Increased and reproducing populations of brown trout, freshwater pearl mussel, otter and Small liverwort.
These actions will create a heterogenous stream that improves the resilience within the ecosystem to withstand disturbance. A healthy ecological system with good ecological status also leads to a better fishing that should benefit local stakeholders through increased tourism.
Target species
- Brown trout (Salmo trutta)
- Freshwater pearl mussle (Margaritifera margaritifera)
- Otter (Lutra lutra)
- Small liverwort (Scapania carinthiaca)
Rivers of LIFE – brochure in English
Demonstrations areas
Agnelån demonstration area
Agnelån flows from Hemsjön to Sännån through a number of lakes and large pools about a mile east of the village of Bräcke. Sännån and Agnelån are tributaries of Gimån and are part of Giimån’s Natura 2000 area. The start of the demonstration area is located right by the road between Bräcke and Albacken, about 2 km west of the village of Gråssjön, coordinates in SWEREF99: N 6959458, E536537.
The demonstration area aims to describe the impact of timber floating on rivers and how we work with restoration in the rivers. Along the path you can see remnants from timber floting constructions such as timber chutes and cleared rapids. Agnelån has been restored with an excavator and the result of this is best viewed from the bridge over the river or from the shelter. Along the path there are also information signs that we hope will create interest in the care of our rivers.
At the area you can find a shelter and a barbecue are. Please bring you own firewood and remember to put out the fire before you leave. Pay attention to any fire bans.
Welcome!
Information signs
Contact us
Rivers of LIFE
Borgmästarplan 2, Gävle
Postal address:
Rivers of LIFE
801 70 Gävle
Sweden
Phone number: +4610-225 10 00
E-mail: riversoflife@lansstyrelsen.se
