Okstindan Nature and Culture Park contains one of Norway's most energetic waterways, from Bleikvatnet, via Røssvatnet and on to Sørfjorden via the 50 kilometer long Røssåga.
In the late 1940s, the development of the river began. Nedre Røssåga power plant was put into operation in 1955, among other things to provide power to the ironworks in Mo i Rana and eventually also to the aluminum plant in Mosjøen. In the period 2012 – 2018, Statkraft expanded and renovated Øvre and Nedre Røssåga Power Plants with state-of-the-art equipment.
Large agricultural areas and several farms around Røssvatnet were flooded as a result of power development in the 50s, and several large rivers have had their water flow greatly reduced.
Røssåga has always been a very attractive trout and salmon river, and restrictions have been set that regulate the minimum water flow and contribute to ensuring that there are still good conditions for wild salmon. Statkraft has also established its own gene bank for salmon on Bjerka. During the fishing season, which lasts from 1 July to 31 August, both locals and visitors can hunt for large salmon and trout on one of the prepared embankments along the river.
The Røssåga waterway is today an interesting outdoor recreation area with easily accessible excursion destinations, whether you want to try your luck at fishing or just go out with a picnic basket. The Wilderness Road, starting in Korgen, leads into this landscape. It goes past Stormyrbassenget, an artificial lake that came about as a result of the hydropower development, and further up into the wilderness to Røssvatnet, the very source of the power wealth.
