Saimaa water levels remain unusually low for third consecutive year

Water releases from Lake Saimaa into the Vuoksi River will be restricted to mitigate the impacts of persistently low water levels, regional authorities announced on Friday, according to a report by Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The Southeast Finland Centre for Economic Development has imposed limits on discharges from Saimaa and Pielinen lakes through the Vuoksi hydroelectric system to prevent further drops in water levels. Both lakes have experienced below-average water levels since summer 2024, with Saimaa currently about 20 centimetres and Pielinen roughly 10 centimetres below seasonal norms.

The restrictions follow an unusually snow-scarce winter across the Vuoksi basin, where snow water equivalent peaked at just half the typical volume. As of mid-March, snowpack remains at record-low levels for the season, with over 50 percent already melted due to an early spring. Forecasts suggest March precipitation will fall below average, accelerating the seasonal decline in lake levels.

Fortum’s hydroelectric plant manager Erkki Luukkonen confirmed that Imatra’s power stations are operating at 60–70 percent of normal capacity due to reduced flow. Similar adjustments were made last year on Pielinen to curb water-level drops.

Residents along the Vuoksi waterway have reported disruptions from the prolonged low-water conditions. Current projections indicate water levels will likely stay below average throughout the summer, though heavy rainfall could provide temporary relief.