The main target area of the Vesiperä project is the ditch Peräsuonoja catchment area, which flows into the River Yläneenjoki. The load on the water system is caused not only by land-use factors (agriculture and forestry) but also by insufficient water management. Due to extensive drainage and low-lying terrain, floods annually flush solid matter and nutrients from tens of hectares into water bodies. There is therefore an obvious need for water retention and the placement of measures in flood-sensitive areas. A general water management plan has been drawn up for the area in 2022.
In this project in the Peräsuonoja catchment area, measures from the general water management plan (3–4 pcs) are planned and implemented. Some of the measures are implemented farmer-oriented through the agricultural support system.
In addition to the measures targeting the Peräsuonoja catchment area, the project will implement a restoration needs inventory and restoration planning of the Myllyoja, Ekman, Prusila and Alatalo wetland basins implemented in the most significant tributaries of the Yläneenjoki River, as well as the restoration of 1–2 wetlands.
The project has three main objectives:
1.Reduce the nutrient and solids load on Lake Pyhäjärvi and the River Yläneenjoki.
2. Maintain the effectiveness of already implemented water protection measures and increase local understanding of the possibilities of different water management methods through new measures.
3. Increase monitoring data on the joint effectiveness of different catchment area measures.