The Melkefoss hydroelectric station, built in 1978, is a Norwegian hydroelectric station on the Paatsjoki River. The border is in the river, but the station is on the Norwegian side (69°23′57″N 29°47′13″E).

The power station, which is owned by Pasvik Kraft, makes use of a fall of 10 meters (33 ft) in the river. Although the power station is located on a river, Lake Inari is regulated as storage for all of the power stations in the drainage basin. The dam has one installed Kaplan turbine, yielding 26 megawatts.

The Paatsjoki River flows from Lake Inari in Finland and for most of its duration, it marks the border between Russia and Norway. On the river there are several Norwegian and Russian hydroelectric stations: Kaitakoski (Russia), Jäniskoski (Russia), Rajakoski (Russia), Hevoskoski (Russia), Skogfoss (Norway), Melkefoss (Norway), Borisoglebskaya (Russia) form the series of hydroelectric installations on the river. The list is in downstream order, from Lake Inari to the Barents Sea.

After leaving Kirkenes we drove south, we actually came to this point by mistake (GPS input error), instead of driving directly to Skogfoss we came here first, so it was very much a added bonus. The BM#111 is on the dam (in the river) whereas BM#112 is slightly to the north.

I visited this point as part of the IBRG ARTEX-24 expedition.

BM are indicated on the map above

BM#111

BM#112

The Paatsjoki river is wide at this point, with the river being “dry” at this point as the river is diverted into the canal leading to the turbine. BM#112 border markers are therefore far apart.