Timber rafting down the Gauja River

Floating is the oldest form in the world of transporting timber. Of the total 452 km length of the Gauja River for releasing rafts and float the logs were once used about 387 km. The first floats into Gauja were released in 1850. Around 1865 there were already 220 floats lowered.

There were two main principal ways of organizing the movement of the logs: first way was for the logs to travel loose, separate from each other, without forming solidly tied platforms formed by joining together several trunks. In the second method the logs were tied together to form flat rafts on top of which men could navigate, directing them with oars. From 1903 when the construction of the Gauja - Daugava channel system was completed, loose log floating started down the Gauja River.

After the World War I when Latvia Stage gained its first independence, transportation of wood by river started to form as private business and business associations. On the banks of the Gauja River during the 20th century 30-ties were more than 140 timber-yards, half of which were private. During the Soviet Union period Soviet government eliminated all private companies and took over everything as state-owned property. For instance, Gauja River was divided in several rafting regions, which were further divided into smaller floating sections.

Since transportation of wood by rivers was highly seasonal industry and due to the construction of railroads and roads in Latvia during 20th century 1960-ties the role and importance of waterways for wood transportation decreased.

In the past, during winter season horse carts were used to transport wood from the forest to the timber-yards by Gauja River. When the spring came and water level in Gauja River was very high rafting season began. Firstly rafts were lowered down the river, and then followed preparations for loose log rafting.