Brazil Itaipu Canal and its significance to Brazil

Itaipu Canal
The Itaipu Canal is one section of the fish migration complex named Piracema Park, designed for the transposition of Itaipu Dam. In Brazilian Indian “Tupi-Guarani” language Itaipu means “the singing stone” and Piracema is the upper river fish migration.
The fish migration was planned to be used for recreation sports and competitions as well. The Slalom and Rafting competitions of World Nature Games in 1997 were designated to the Piracema Park. Unfortunatelly the fish migration complex was concluded only in December 2002, with a parallel channel to the Itaipu Canal while its river bed was concreted, but kept dry. In January 2006 the course obstacles were built in place, with an official water release in February. Finally in May, 2006 the first slalom competition took place in the Itaipu Canal. It was the selection of the Brazilian Slalom Team for the 2006 Slalom Worlds. In September a correction of the slope of the final section of the course was made in order to lower it and make the course smoother at the end.
The canal is approximately 400 meters long, 12 meters wide, total drop of 8,20 meters, from which a minimum 250 meters section will be defined as the competition course.
The Itaipu Canal and the surrounding Piracema Park, its beauty and the natural environment, with its woods and animals, is a unique canoeing complex course in the world. The Inlet Canal, the Upper and the Lower Lake may be used for warm-up and cool-down areas. The Upper Lake is also suitable for different canoeing activities as flatwater, canoe-polo and recreation, while Itaipu and Inlet Canals can also be used for rafting, wildwater and free style.