Paihola canal

Lock building
When Utra canal was ready for use (see Utra canal) building of Paihola canal was initiated. The work began with building a canal keepers house and digging of the canal in July 1875. It was not possible to build the lock by utilising the existing stone material because it was not strong enough. One-third of the lock was built into the stone and the rest was done by supporting the lock with stone-filled wooden chests.
The Paihola canal was opened on the August 15, 1876.The lock was renovated in 1918. Presumably, it was turned into a stone lock.

The lock was built between the canal island and the canal keepers house.	The lock is under the water.	Canal island. The current channel is on the left.

© Photos 2001 Riitta Kankkunen

The old canal upstreams.	Before 1971, here was a ferry connection.	The canal keepers house at the beginning of 1990s. The photo was taken onboard M/S Vinkeri (Kyllikki Kankkunen 1991).

© Photos 2001 Riitta Kankkunen

Canal dimensions

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

Paihola canal today
Paihola canal is under the water surface. This is a consequence of building the current Kuurna lock between 1968 and 1971. The lock without gates is still left but it is not visible due to dark water. The canal area and canal keepers house are private areas today but easily seen from the road. Before 1971, the river Pielisjoki was crossed by using a ferry between the villages Paihola and Kulho. A bridge was built in Kuurna (see Kuurnan kanava) and it replaced the ferry.
Riitta Kankkunen © 2005

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