Regional water situation

Central Finland, Päijät-Häme and Kymenlaakso 6.6.

In the Kymijoki river basin, some natural lakes are exceptionally low considering the season. Winter was low in snow, and snow melting began early, so many lakes have already declined clearly from their earlier-and-smaller-than-average flood peaks. For example, the water level of Lake Saanijärvi in Pihtiputaa and Lake Kalmarinselkä in Saarijärvi have not been this low in early June during their entire observation history of 115 years. Last time, the water level of Lake Karankajärvi in Vihanti was this low in early June in 1921. Lake Synsiä in Kangasniemi is at its lowest level since the drought in early 1940s. The water levels of large natural lakes are also predicted to remain clearly lower than average during the summer. The rainfall forecast for the next few days will alleviate the situation slightly.

Since the beginning of May, the flow regulation of Lake Päijänne has remained approximately the same at around 180 m3/s, which is lower than is typical of the season. According to the forecast, the water level will remain close to its current level in June. In Kuusankoski, in the lower reaches of River Kymijoki, the discharge has been approximately 230 m3/s this week, while the average discharge of the season is approximately 340 m3/s.