The Watershed vision 2035 for the catchmentof the Oulujoki river system in Finland

In Finland, recent water vision projects have varied in content and scope, Oulujoki watershed project (2021-2023), funded by the European Regional Development Fund, being the most extensive geographically and thematically. Covering an area of 22,841 km2, the Oulujoki water course is vital for hydropower production but has negatively impacted fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems.

The watershed vision project, conducted collaboratively with regional stakeholders, seeked to integrate water management, hydropower, fisheries, land use, and economic interests by 2035, recognising the need to bridge past isolation in regional strategies. It was part of the broader ARVOVESI project which was carried out in collaboration with the University of Oulu, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), and the Natural Resources Institute (Luke).

The project employed a co-creation approach, utilising the latest research data to reconcile watershed-related goals. In the structured goal-oriented approach over 100 stakeholders engaged in more than 20 advisory boards and working group meetings, resulting in five sub-areas:

• waters and biodiversity;
• fish stocks and fishing;
• recreation and nature tourism;
• hydropower and climate goals;
• settlements, livelihoods, and attraction.

Each sub-area had three to five goals and proposed measures, totalling over sixty measures for the vision.

Addressing polarised views on hydropower and fish migration posed a significant challenge, resulting in some parties withdrawing from the final outcome. The broad thematic and regional scope added to the complexity. The difficulty in reaching a consensus was further compounded by differing interpretations of the Water Framework Directive with regard to the objectives for migratory fish in heavily modified water bodies. Future vision projects should emphasise constructive dialogue, and the application of systematic problem structuring methods could prove beneficial. Nonetheless, the vision work provides a solid foundation for subsequent projects and the identification of measures, including innovative approaches like water stewardship by companies.