When the first small drop of water falls over the edge of the dam, its foaming journey towards more spacious waters, towards the great lake of Ladoga begins. It first foams in the Imatrankoski Rapids and tries to escape the great water masses that follow. The drop swims under the old lanterns at Koskisilta Bridge. It spins past the idyllic Pavillion. It passes the venerable Valtionhotelli hotel and a rock cliff that in the past held a squeaky ropeway. It sprays some moisture on the guests standing at the viewing terrace and surges towards the centuries old rock engravings, the royal graffiti.
And this is how the water masses accumulate. They fill the rugged channel; they spin, agitate, thunder.
Visitor to Imatrankoski: If you have never heard the thunder of the rapids, experienced its magnificent force, now is the time. For a moment, you feel you are held tightly in the violent embrace of nature. For a moment, you feel you are one with history, with the ancient river bed.
That experience is just as large as the smallest drop of the foaming rapids.
The Rapids shows in 2024:
- Cancelled: From October 18th to 19th and 25th to 26th at 6 PM, an Autumn break of schools. Rapids shows are cancelled due to maintenance work by Fortum.
- December 6th at 4 PM Finnish Independence Day
- December 31th at 8 PM New Year's Eve
An exhibition presenting hydropower is open in October in Patopuisto. The space is open in October as follows:
Thu 10.10. at 15-19 pm
Thu 17.10. at 15-19 pm
Thu 24.10. at 15-19 pm
Sun 27.10. at 12-16 pm
After October, the showroom will be moved to the next location. Autumn vacation is therefore the last chance to get to know the exhibition at Imatra. More information here.
The Rapids show lasts approx. 16 minutes. Eight minutes after the flood gates are opened, the foams reach their peak with an average of 400 cubic metres of water per second flowing in the stream. In the summer rapids shows will be accompanied by music of Jean Sibelius or the Whitewater Symphony by the Osmo's Cosmos band.
The best places to watch the Rapids shows are Koskisilta Bridge and Koskipuisto Park.
During the summer season, guided tours are organized in the Kruununpuisto (the park surrounding Imatrankoski). You can inquire about your own guide for groups from Imatra Tours.
Information without obligation, subject to change of schedule. It is always advisable to check the timetable on this website closer to the planned date. The Imatrankoski dam is managed by Fortum, and the city of Imatra organises the rapid show events in cooperation with Fortum.
Last updated: 16th October, 2024
