Regional water situation

Kainuu and Oulu-Koillismaa 21.4.

In the River Oulujoki water system, the water levels of regulated lakes are still rising, in many places, and higher than usual due to the early spring. Most of the snow in the area has melted. During the winter, the surface of several regulated lakes was left higher than normal due to the low amount of snow, so that the water levels can be raised to typical levels in early summer. Most of the natural lakes are already declining, as spring has been low in precipitation and low in snow.

The water level of Lake Oulujärvi continues to rise as is typical in spring. It is currently approximately 70 cm above the average level of the season due to the early spring, and it is expected to rise close to the typical early-summer levels already in late April. The inflow will gradually decrease, as this week is expected to see little rain.

On the Sotkamo route, the water levels of natural lakes have mainly reached their highest levels this spring. The water levels remained clearly lower than the average spring flood peak, due to the low amount of snow and low precipitation in the spring. The surfaces will gradually decline and may end up at a level clearly lower than usual by summer.

On the Hyrynsalmi route, the water levels of natural lakes have declined only slightly from the spring peaks. The peak water levels in April were mainly well below the average spring flood, which would typically only take place in May. The water level of Lake Vellijärvi has risen close to a typical spring flood level, but the water level of the lake has already been elevated earlier in the winter. Water levels are predicted to decline slowly, during the second half of the month.

In the Kuusamo region, the water levels of Lakes Kitkajärvi and Muojärvi have gradually started to rise, and they are slightly higher than the typical April levels. Water levels are forecast to continue rising around mid-May.