The current regulation is to be renewed because it has led to excessively high water levels in summer. In addition, summer and autumn rains have allowed water levels to rise too high too often.
Following a request from the Water Law Administrator, the North Ostrobothnia Environment Agency will prepare a new regulation guideline for Lake Oijärvi in the Kuivajoki river basin in the municipality of Ii during 2023.
The current regulation was introduced in 2012. The aim of the directive has been to improve the ecological status of Lake Oijärvi by ensuring sufficient spring flows and to prevent the lake’s water level from falling too low, which accelerates the overgrowth of the banks. The directive has also aimed to achieve more natural flow conditions in the Kuivajoki River, which flows from Lake Oijärvi. As a result of the control measure, the water level has been above the target level, especially during the summer period.
The amount of feedback received by the Agency on the regulatory guidance has increased. It has been observed that the current regulation leads to excessively high summer water levels, which can be detrimental to, among other things, birdlife in the area. In addition, summer and autumn rains have allowed water levels to rise too high too often. There has also been feedback from the Dry River arm of the river about excessively rapid flow fluctuations.
Ely-keskus wants to look at the regulation of Oijärvi as a broader entity and find a solution that would increase the benefits of regulation and reduce the resulting disadvantages. In connection with this, Ely-Keskus orders a report from a consultant on whether regulation could be implemented by converting the current remotely operated regulation dam into a bottom dam, in which case regulation could be stopped.
If it is not possible to change the regulation structures due to, for example, an increase in flood risks or the ecological or recreational use disadvantages caused by the change, the ely center will explore the possibilities of automating the regulation of Oijärvi together with the Finnish Environment Agency.
A public event will be organized in Oijärvi, where residents of the area and other water users will have the opportunity to express their opinion on the matter.
*You can discuss the topic until 23:00 on January 27.*
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