Today the rapids power the largest hydroelectric plant in Sweden, Stora harsprånget.

Several major rapids exist along the river's length, notably the Stora Falls and those at Porjus and Harsprånget.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the river was designated as a defensive line against an invasion from Imperial Russia and subsequently the Soviet Union.

Leaving Virihaure to the north, the river reaches the Vastenjaure lake after losing 32m over 2.2 km.

The best known is Stora Sjöfallet at the end of the Akkajaure lake, where the water falls 39.6 m from Kårtjejaure to Langasjaure.