Log floating on River Kemijoki, 1960

The log floating on River Kemijoki began in the 1860s. Felling usually ended in March and then the logs were stored upstream, marked and measured. In the spring, the logs were debarked and, once the river had thawed, the floating of the logs along rivers to steam sawmills of the south began. The fall log floating started after salmon fishing ended on 15 August. Log floating marked the summer time of Rovaniemi until 1991, but since then logs have been transported by road and rail.

Source: Muistojen reitti brochure, City of Rovaniemi