Creating Healthier Waterways: Rapala VMC’s Commitment to Stream Conservation with Virho

Virho’s Work in Stream Conservation

The Finnish Society for Stream Conservation, Virho, has restored and conserved dozens of hectares of spawning and nursery habitats for migratory fish since its founding in 1990. Much of this work has been carried out carefully by hand in areas that are difficult to reach with excavators. Even in large-scale efforts such as dam removals and machine-based rapid restorations, the finishing work is often done manually. These interventions create diverse habitats across varying water levels and current speeds, supporting a wide range of plant and animal species.

For Virho, improving how society treats streams is just as important as doing restoration work. Without broader understanding, restored areas can easily be harmed again. This matters especially in Finland, which has half of the world’s forestry ditches. These ditches, along with agricultural runoff, wastewater issues, and construction-site discharges, send large amounts of particles and nutrients into waterways.

The situation has slowly improved. After years of discussion with different interest groups, and with Virho actively involved, attitudes and laws have begun to change. As people better recognize the value of healthy stream systems, Virho’s work becomes easier and more effective. A key part of this shift is seeing catchment areas as connected systems. Soil, elevation, and how well the ground absorbs water all affect streams from the smallest brooks to the largest rivers. This broader catchment-based view is fortunately becoming more common in practice.

Rapala VMC’s Contribution to Success

Virho and Rapala VMC have jointly restored parts of a 700‑meter rapid section of the River Uskelanjoki, located about 100 kilometres west of Helsinki. As Virho prioritizes riverbeds with high water quality, the same principle guided Rapala VMC’s restoration of this particular rapid system, which includes whitewater and stream pools. In summer 2024, gravel and larger stones were placed with Virho’s assistance. Remarkably, trout roe was found in every gravel bed that same year. Previously, the riverbed was more monotonous and unstable, offering fewer spawning sites and limited habitat for aquatic plants and insects. The restoration multiplied the conditions for biomass growth in what had once been a dam reservoir.

Visual observations suggests that the number of hatched trout juveniles is many times greater than in previous years. A reserve for positive ecological succession was created through a brief manual intervention. A later formal study will validate the results on a scientific basis.  Today, even sea‑run trout have access to the restored area, though minor adjustments downstream are still needed to fully remove remaining migration barriers from the former dam site.

In 2025, another 40‑meter section was restored in much the same way. All new gravel beds were used by trout for spawning in autumn 2025. Alongside the increase in biodiversity, the restoration enhanced both the visual and acoustic landscape. Flowing water now produces varied sounds at different levels, while even underwater scenery has become richer. Shallow and deeper areas host diverse species of plants, insects, and trout, an excellent indicator of stream‑watershed health.

Rapala VMC is proud to support Virho in its efforts to protect stream and river environments. This support is part of the Rapala VMC Do Good initiative.