Water situation 9.1.

Frazil ice problems persist in different parts of the country

The formation of frazil ice has raised the water levels of rivers during the extremely cold period in different parts of the country. Floodwaters have damaged shoreline structures and flooded cottages and outbuildings in places. Several buildings have been surrounded by water.
Economic Development Centres and rescue departments have demolished frazil ice dams to protect buildings in Satakunta, North Karelia, South Savo, North Savo, Central Finland, Ostrobothnia and North Ostrobothnia, for example.

In North Ostrobothnia, recreational buildings are surrounded by water by Rivers Kiiminkijoki and Sanginjoki. In Utajärvi, a residential building has also been surrounded by floodwater. In Pudasjärvi, water threatens recreational buildings, and outbuildings have already been flooded. In North Savo, a frazil ice flood has threatened recreational buildings in Sonkajärvi, Pielavesi, Vieremä and Kiuruvesi, for example, and frazil ice dams have been demolished even by blasting. In recent days, there have been problems in western Finland in Kauvatsanjoki, Lapuanjoki, Ähtävänjoki and Kruunupyynjoki, for example.

The prevention of frazil ice floods in Rivers Kokemäenjoki and Kymijoki has been successful. An ice cover preventing frazil ice floods has formed in a significant part of river channels. This was achieved by reducing the flow regulation of lakes. This week, frazil ice floods are still possible on river sections with no ice cover as the temperature remains extremely cold at least for the next few days.

Water levels of lakes are still high for the season in places in Central and North Ostrobothnia and in the northern part of the Vuoksi river basin. In Central and Eastern Finland, the water levels of lakes that have long been low have risen due to the rainy and warm weather in November and December, but the water level of Lake Saimaa, for example, is still clearly below average.