Lake Koitere reaches record low water levels in North Karelia amidst changing energy dynamics

The usage and cycles of water power have changed significantly. The availability of market electricity and wind energy now dictate the water levels in various bodies of water, including Lake Koitere in Ilomantsi, North Karelia, which has been turned into a reservoir for energy management. Currently, the lake’s water level is at a record low for this time of year.

Lake Koitere is experiencing a rapid decline as wind patterns in western and northern Finland shift, and maintenance shutdowns at nuclear facilities occur. Petteri Tahvanainen, chairman of the Koitere Fishery Area, stated that monitoring the price of market electricity is now the best way to predict changes in water levels. The turbines at the Pamilon power plant, owned by Swedish company Vattenfall, are generating regulation power for energy production and revenues in the electricity market.

Vattenfall’s head of hydroelectric production in Finland, Talvikki Andersson, noted that the overall situation on the electricity market affects the operation of the Pamilo plant, which produces more than half of Vattenfall’s hydroelectric output in Finland. The plant is operated primarily when the demand for electricity is high.

Regulated since a permit granted in 1979, Koitere has become one of Finland’s most heavily regulated lakes, with a fluctuation range of over two meters. This regulation has altered the lake’s landscape and fish populations, leading to restrictions on larger fish due to mercury accumulation. Notably, the original whitefish population and the vendace have disappeared.

Local residents are increasingly concerned, as they struggle to access safe boat launching spots, many of which are now unusable due to the low water levels. There is also talk of potentially forming an organization to advocate on behalf of Lake Koitere’s interests. The area is culturally significant, with historical ties to Finnish literature and folklore, and it is celebrated for its natural beauty, boasting 451 islands.