Joensuu canal

Joensuu canal is one of the Pielisjoki canals. It is located in the city centre of Joensuu in the east end of the street Siltakatu.


Only a part of the old lock is left. It is located near the current canal tower.	Structures of an old gate manufactured by Paul Wahl in Varkaus.	Stonework of the old canal. Current canal tower is on the left.	Monument of canalising. It says: Alexander II Pielis joen kanava 1874 1879.

The first Joensuu canal 1876 - 1877 and 1918 - 1923
Digging of the first Joensuu canal was initiated in August 1876. Berndt Höök had planned a lock chamber of stone but due to reasons relating to the ground, a wooden lock was built. The lock chamber was finished and opened for traffic in June 1877. However, the work was not done yet. Joensuu became an administrative centre of the whole Pielisjoki route. Apartments were built for canal staff (canal chief, building master, cashier and area warden). The wooden lock chamber was rebuilt between 1918 and 1923 of concrete.

Timber floating required new investments in Utra.
In 1986, timber was transported into water. Nowadays, technology has changed. (R.K.1986).
Buildings of the local timber floating association and tugboats in Utra.

Canal dimensions

Total length
Total elevation
Number of locks
Length of lock
Lock width
Depth of lock

537 m
1761'
? m
1
35,6 m
117'
7,7 m
25'
2,1 m
7'

Current Joensuu canal. Remains of the old canal and the monument are located in the island on the right.
Joensuu canal and rapid Länsikoski including one of the public beaches (Ilosaari) and restaurant Karjalan talo/Puukello.
Lock towards lake Pyhäselkä.


Canal tower and lock in June 2005.	Canal area and rapid Länsikoski in June 2005, restaurant ship schooner Elina on the left.	Canal tower was renovated during autumn 2004 and following winter.

The second Joensuu canal 1971 - 1973
River Pielisjoki has always been an important timber-floating route. Current lock of Kaltimo canal was built in 1959 and Kuurna canal in 1971. These two new locks were much more efficient than the old, narrow and short lock in Joensuu.
Before it was decided to build a new lock, two different kinds of canals without locks were discussed. This construction would have caused problems and a large lock for timber-floating was chosen. On the other hand, building a lock did not destroy the rapid.
A brand new timber-floating lock was built in 1971 - 1973. The old lock was partly demolished. The new lock, made of concrete, is equipped with sector gates and the whole system is electronic. In those days, this technique was new. Even the railway bridge, located about 1000 metres (3300) further north, can be opened from the tower.

Canal dimensions

Total length
Total elevation
Number of locks
Length of lock
Lock width
Depth of lock

?
0,3 m
1'
1
160 m
525'
16 m
53'
2,4 m
8'

1970s sector gates.
Pielisjoki towards the City of Nurmes.
M/S Vinkeri arriving at Joensuu lock.
(Kyllikki Kankkunen 1991).

M/S Satumaa entering the lock.

The old steamer Lauri in the canal.

Joensuu canal today
The east side of the old lock is left as the picture shows. The current one is a typical 1970s lock made of concrete. The Pielisjoki canalising monument is in the island between the current lock and the rapid Länsikoski. This monument was exploded in 1917 because the twin eagle was seen as a symbol of the Russian empire. The monument was restored in 1968 and the eagle is watching the rapid again.

Sources: Joensuun kaupungin historia. Osa I. Joensuu: Kirjapaino Oy Maakunta; 1985. Myllykylä T. 1991. Suomen kanavien historia. Helsinki: Otava; 1991. Pielisjoen laiva- ja uittoväylä. Tutkimus Joensuun kaupunginkosken kanavoinnista. Helsinki: Tie- ja vesirakennushallitus, Vesitieosasto. 30.9.1968. Suomen muistomerkit. Osa X. Nousiainen: Väriteos Henna Oy; 2000. Visits by R.K.

Do send comments or further information in Swedish or English to Bosse Arnholm or in Finnish, English or Swedish to Riitta Kankkunen.

Click here to get back to the startpage.

This page was modified at


Timber floating required new investments in Utra.	In 1986, timber was transported into water. Nowadays, technology has changed. (R.K.1986).	Buildings of the local timber floating association and tugboats in Utra.

Total length	Total elevation	Number of locks	Length of lock	Lock width	Depth of lock
537 m 1761'	? m	1	35,6 m 117'	7,7 m 25'	2,1 m 7'


Current Joensuu canal. Remains of the old canal and the monument are located in the island on the right.	Joensuu canal and rapid Länsikoski including one of the public beaches (Ilosaari) and restaurant Karjalan talo/Puukello.	Lock towards lake Pyhäselkä.


1970s sector gates.	Pielisjoki towards the City of Nurmes.	M/S Vinkeri arriving at Joensuu lock. (Kyllikki Kankkunen 1991).