Watercourses

Kuopio has many waterways and smaller watercourses

The abundance of water bodies is a typical feature of Kuopio, as about a quarter of the city’s surface area is water. Large lake basins and waterways account for the majority of the water area. 

Kallavesi, the largest lake in Northern Savo, is located almost entirely in the Kuopio area. Kallavesi has a surface area of approximately 470 square kilometres, which makes it Finland’s tenth largest lake. Together with other lake basins on the same level (Suvasvesi, Juurusvesi, Riistavesi and Muuruvesi) it forms the approximately 900-square-kilometre Iso-Kalla, which in turn is the fifth largest inland water basin in Finland. Kallavesi is relatively shallow. Its average depth is only about 8.9 metres. The deepest point (approximately 75 m) can be found in the eastern part of Central Kallavesi. In terms of type, Kallavesi is a large lake with little humus. Kallavesi has been regulated since 1972. The regulation interval is 1.1 metres.

The largest lake in Nilsiä is Syväri, which has an area of 80.7 square kilometres. Syväri is also fairly low, as its average depth is seven metres and its maximum depth is 41 metres.  Syväri is a lake with abundant humus by its type. Syväri has been regulated since 1960, with  a regulation interval of 2.45 m.

Despite its gently-sloping shores, the Lake Maaninkajärvi, which was created in the fracture line of the bedrock, is exceptionally deep. The average depth of the lake is 10.6 metres with a maximum draught of 70.4 metres.  The area of Lake Maaninkajärvi is 24.4 square kilometres. Maaninkajärvi is also classified as an abundant lake. 

In addition to the large lake reservoirs, Kuopio has plenty of smaller lakes and ponds. Many of them are relatively low and more or less eutrophied by human activity.

There are relatively few flowing waters in Kuopio. The most famous of the rapids are the Korkeakoski in Maaninka and Lastukoski about how serious they are of the dimished  the river linking Syväri and Vuotjärvi. Korkeakoski is the highest uniform waterfall in Finland.

Water areas of the City of Kuopio

The City of Kuopio owns approximately 9,500 hectares of its own water areas, which are in heavy recreational use. Most of the water areas are located in Kallavesi. In addition, the city has several small waters in urban areas and individual water areas in Suvas (Vehmersalmi), Ylä-Ruokovesi (Maaninka), Muuruvesi and Vuotjärvi (Juankoski).

Kuopio and the Kallansillat bridges divide Kallavesi into North and South Kallavesi. North Kallavesi, located west of the Kallansillat brisges, has a little more than 1,000 hectares of the city’s water areas, and South Kallavesi has more than 7,000 hectares. The city’s water area is divided into several plots, the largest of which is located in South Kallavesi and has an area of approximately 4,200 hectares. The city’s waters offer plenty of opportunities for boating and swimming, as well as for hiking and recreation..