Water situation 11.8.

Water levels high in parts of North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, water levels still low in Finnish Lakeland

The rainfall in recent weeks has raised river water levels rapidly in parts of Lapland and North Ostrobothnia, but no heavy rainfall is forecast for the next few days, so the water levels will remain unchanged or decline. At the end of the week, river water levels may start rising again, especially in North Ostrobothnia, as rainfall hits the area.

In northern Pirkanmaa and in Central Finland, the water levels of several lakes have risen significantly due to the rainfall in late July. In the area extending from Eastern Finland to the southern parts of Pirkanmaa, the water levels of many natural lakes are still unusually low. Of the large lakes, the water levels of Lakes Kallavesi and Keitele, for example, are clearly below the seasonal average levels. The water level of Lake Saimaa is still 55 cm and that of Lake Päijänne around 35 cm lower than on average this time of the year. According to the forecast, the water levels of large lakes will decline slowly or remain at their current levels in August.