Water situation 7.4.

Rainfall raises river water levels on the southwest coast

The rainfall at the weekend and yesterday will raise the water levels of rivers on the southwest coast, in places also in Southern and Western Finland. However, the rises will remain small, and water levels are forecast to start declining mainly during Wednesday, as the weather in the next few days is forecast to be low in precipitation. Water levels in rivers continue to decline in North Ostrobothnia and Southern Lapland. The flow rates are still high, in places, but they are decreasing due to cool weather and low rainfall. The risk of ice jams has clearly decreased since last week. According to forecasts, the actual flood peaks in Iijoki will take place after mid-April, and further north in April and May.

The water levels of large natural lakes are likely to remain lower than usual in the area extending from Eastern Finland to Pirkanmaa in the summer unless there is heavier rainfall than usual in the late spring and in the early summer. The low amount of snow and early spring may cause challenges in reaching the target levels for the summer also in regulated lakes. For example, the water level in Lake Saimaa is likely to remain as low or even lower than last summer.