Regional water situation

Central Finland, Päijät-Häme and Kymenlaakso 9.7.

In the Kymijoki river basin, south of Jyväskylä, rainfall in June and early July has been higher than average, which has slightly alleviated the water situation. Rainfall has remained lower in the area upstream from Lake Keitele, and the water levels of many natural lakes are exceptionally low for the season. The weather is forecast to remain low in precipitation, and the water levels in lakes will continue to decline.

The water level of Lake Päijänne is around 40 cm lower than the average of the season and at its lowest seasonal level since 1978. The water level is forecast to decline by 0–20 cm by mid-August. The outflow from Lake Päijänne is at around 130 m3/s, and in the lower reaches of River Kymijoki in Kuusankoski the discharge is at around 200 m3/s, the average discharge of the season being 300 m3/s.

On the Mäntyharju route, the water level of Lake Puula is only slightly lower than the seasonal average, as flow regulation from Kissakoski has remained low since the beginning of May, which is visible in the low water levels in the water system downstream. Out of the headwater lakes on the route, the water level of Lake Iso-Naakkima has been at its lowest seasonal level during its measurement history, and the water level of Lake Synsiä is close to its lowest level in its observation period that began in 1910. The water level of Lake Kyyvesi is around 35 cm lower than the average of the season and at its lowest seasonal level since 1942.

Of the lakes in the northern part of the river basin, the outflow of Lake Keitele has been limited for the summer to prevent the water level from falling below the minimum water level required in navigation channels used from May to mid-October. The water level of Lake Ylä-Keitele is around 60 cm below its seasonal average. The July water level of Lake Keitele has only been lower than this in 1942 during its observation period that began in 1886. According to the forecast, the water level will decline by 0–10 cm by the end of July, so flow regulation may still have to be reduced later in the summer.

Of the lakes upstream from Lake Keitele, the water level of Lake Kolima is at its lowest level for over 60 years. On the Rautalampi route, the water level of Lake Konnevesi is at its lowest seasonal level for nearly 50 years and that of Lake Pielavesi-Nilakka for over 80 years. The water level of Lake Koivujärvi is at a record-low level in its entire observation period of 126 years. According to forecasts, water levels will continue to decline.