Proactive flood prevention

Harmful floods can be prevented proactively, especially by means of river regulation, water level regulation in lakes and floodwater management.

Finland has an effective flood prevention mechanism based on cooperation between the authorities. The Flood Centre, which is managed in partnership by the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Finnish Environment Institute, monitors the weather conditions and the hydrological situation constantly and prepares flood forecasts for such users as the ELY Centres (Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment).

River regulation and lake water level regulation guided by situational awareness often helps to prevent floods, for example by making sure that lakes have capacity for meltwaters in spring. The flow rate of a river can be increased and decreased depending on whether a flood is expected to occur in its upper or lower reaches.

In winter and spring, watching out for ice jams and frazil ice dams is also necessary. Dislodging the ice by sawing is possible if there is a mounting risk of an ice jam, and frazil ice dams are sometimes also blown up.

If the water starts rising despite all precautions, there are still ways and means of minimizing flood damage. For example, excess water can be led to fields or forests to save urban areas from a damaging flood. Rapid decisions and choices must often be made in an acute flood situation.