Häihä canal
Häihän kanava

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With permission 48/MML/08

Entrance of Häihä canal Picture: Antti Kontkanen, 2010.	Canal keeper's house Picture: Antti Kontkanen, 2010.

Building of the lock
Building of locks was initiated in July 1874 at the same time in Utra, and Kuurna. Based on preliminary geological studies, the canal line consisted of steady rock. Thus, a stone lock should have been built. According to plans, the canal should have been opened for traffic in 1875 but quarrying took longer than it was anticipated. In addition, the rock material was of poor quality. It was not possible to follow the original plan but the lock was done of cut stone. The Häihä canal was opened for traffic on the 12.6.1876.

Dimensions

Total length	Total elevation	Number of locks	Length of lock	Width of lock	Depth of lock
108 m	? m	1	35,6 m	7,7 m	2,1 m

The Häihä canal today
It is not possible to visit the Häihä canal without a boat. Based on a picture, the lock without gates and the canal keepers house are still left. When the new Kaltimo lock (see Kaltimo) was taken into use in 1959, the Häihä canal was not needed anymore.

In autumn 2010 Senate Properties sold the Häihä island to the Kontkanen family. The Finish State did not need the island and the canal anymore.

Riitta Kankkunen © 2005

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