Fisheries restoration in Nordanstig

Our Vision

We want to restore natural water systems in the municipality, in favor of animals and other organisms connected mainly to running waters.

Today, the municipality's two largest watercourses are influenced by small-scale hydroelectric power generation, which effectively separates the coastal waters from its catchment areas.

By eliminating migratory obstacles caused by small-scale hydro-power and restoring watercourses that have, for instance, been harshly cleared from stones due to earlier log-driving, we want to create conditions that mimic natural streams, whose structure has not been affected by man. In this way we want to give species with need for waterways free from obstacles a greater living space in the municipality and increase the possibility for endangered species such as freshwater pearl mussel, eel and freshwater crayfish to survive.

The planned measures are expected to favor otter, lamprey, trout, salmon, European whitefish, perch, pike and pike-perch. The measures would also improve the conditions for nature-related recreation and related business activities, thereby increasing the possibility of survival for our small coastal communities.

Facts about Nordanstig

Sweden's 71st largest municipality in surface size

Land area 1370km²
Lakearea 85 km²
Running water 740 km
Sea shore 101 km

Larger streams including tributaries

Dyrån 42 km
Haddängsån 29 km
Gnarpsån 122 km
Edsmyrån 9 km
Harmångersån 415 km

... and a number of smaller streams that ends in the sea.

Hydroelectric power plants that constitutes obstacles for migrating fish

Installed effect MW (Annual production GWh)

Stocka power plant 0,5 (2,2)
Forsa Nedre power plant 0,74 (3,0)
Forsa mill 0,12 (no production)
Forsa Övre power plant 1,65 (85)
Vade power plant 0,11 (0,75)
Milsbron, Gnarpsån 0,13 (0,75)
Gällsta, Gnarpsån 0,1 (0,65)

In total 3,23 (15,85)