Regional water situation

Eastern and Southeast Finland 2.4.

In the Vuoksi river basin, the winter was low in snow, and the snow has melted exceptionally early. The spring peak discharges in rivers were record low in many places and occurred approximately one month earlier than the normal spring flood season. The discharges of Rivers Koitajoki and Lieksanjoki, and the water levels of lakes are still rising. However, without heavy rainfall, the water levels of natural lakes will remain lower than usual in the early summer. It may be challenging to reach the summer target levels in regulated lakes.

The water level of Lake Kallavesi is now approximately 15 cm above its seasonal average. The water level is forecast to rise by 5–15 cm by the end of April, at which point, a smaller-than-normal flood peak will occur. Normally, the water level starts to rise in mid-April with the melting of snow, and the maximum water level for spring is reached at the end of May. This spring, the water level is likely to start declining already at the end of April. According to the forecast, the water level will be clearly lower than usual in May and June.

The water level of Lake Pielinen is slightly below the average level of the season, and the water level is starting to rise slowly. According to the forecast, the water level will rise by 5–30 cm by mid-May but will probably remain even lower than last spring. Without heavy rainfall, the water level will fall to an exceptionally low level for the season in June and July.

The water level of Lake Saimaa is approximately 15 cm below the long-term seasonal average. The water level has started to rise slightly. According to the forecast, the water level will rise by 5–20 cm by mid-May but will probably start declining in June. Exceptional flow regulation was initiated in Lake Saimaa at the end of March, to reduce the harmful effects of low water levels. Without heavy rainfall, the water level may fall even lower than last year in the late summer.