The idea of building a few artificial lakes in Lapland for storing water was first launched in the 1960's. The reservoirs would help in evening out the runoff and preventing the flooding downstream. The first two reservoirs, Lokka and Porttipahta, were built in the 1970's. The third one, Vuotos, was supposed to be built later. The possible construction of the Vuotos Reservoir has been under discussion since 1974 when the initial plan was released. Several different decisions both in favour and against the construction have been made during these years. The final decision is yet to be made.

The amount of research work that has been carried out in the Vuotos area is significant - the flora and fauna have been thoroughly studied. The economic research shows that building the dam is not going to be profitable, but on the other hand in Lapland, where unemployment is a big problem, building anything means work for years.

A reservoir will always have unpleasant consequences. The area - in Vuotos appr. 250 km² - will be destroyed, most of the living things, people included, are forced to move. The aquatic ecosystems will suffer because of the water level regulation. Erosion of soils will lead to the silting up of the coastal reaches of rivers.