Haukivesi
Most water flows from the east, through Tappuvirta, Oravikoski and Haponlahti locks. A smaller inflow is from the north, through Pirtinvirta in Varkaus. Of the lakes in the Saimaa lake system, Haukivesi receives the most nutrients. The water quality varies with location, because of the differences between the water qualities of the inflows. In Haukivesi, more nutrient-rich water flowing from the north mixes with purer waters from the east. The largest individual pollution sources are the city of Varkaus and its pulp mills, although smaller settlements and diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry contribute. The lake was heavily polluted by the pulp mills up to the 70s, but stricter regulation forced the mills to treat their wastewaters, and thus the lake recovered.
The southernmost part of Haukivesi is Haapavesi, and most of its southern shoreline is covered by the city of Savonlinna. Water flows via Matarinsalmi sound into Haapavesi, from where it flows through several channels into the Pihlajavesi part of Saimaa.
Linnansaari National Park is located in the middle of the lake. The name Haukivesi means "pike water", and indeed, the lake is known as a good place to catch pikes, in addition to bream, perch and zander. However, there are restrictions on fishing because of the national park and protection of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.
References
- ^ Etelä-Savon ympäristökeskus: Haukivesi (in Finnish) Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Järviwiki. Finnish Environment Institute. Retrieved 2014-03-09. (in English)
- ^ "www.ymparisto.fi - Haukivesi". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
- ^ Haukivesi. Retrieved 2014-03-09. (in Finnish)
External links
- Media related to Haukivesi at Wikimedia Commons