Pielinen | |
---|---|
Location | North Karelia |
Coordinates | 63°15′N 29°40′E / 63.250°N 29.667°E |
Lake type | Mesotrophic |
Primary inflows | Jongunjoki, Koitajoki, Lieksanjoki |
Primary outflows | Pielisjoki |
Catchment area | 12,823 km2 (4,951 sq mi) |
Basin countries | Finland |
Max. length | 120 km (75 mi) |
Max. width | 40 km (25 mi) |
Surface area | 894.21 km2 (345.26 sq mi)[1] |
Average depth | 9.9 m (32 ft) |
Max. depth | 60 m (200 ft) |
Water volume | 8.5 km3 (2.0 cu mi) |
Residence time | 1.9 years |
Shore length1 | 1,700 km (1,100 mi) |
Surface elevation | 93.7 m (307 ft)[1] |
Islands | Paalasmaa (27.2 km2), Kynsisaari (13.7 km2), Porosaari (10.4 km2), Toinensaari (8.2 km2), Hattusaari (6.3 km2), Koveronsaari (6.1 km2) and Retusaari (5.6 km2) |
Settlements | Juuka, Lieksa, Nurmes |
References | [1] |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Pielinen (Swedish: Pielisjärvi)[2] is the fourth largest lake of Finland, with a drainage basin area of 12,823 km2 (4,951 sq mi) equally distributed between eastern Finland and Russia. The creation of the lake and its outlet is attributed to a post-glacial isostatic rebound, which resulted in uplift of the land.[3][4][5] As is common in Finnish lakes, the lake's color is dark, due to the high proportion of bogs present in the catchment of the drainage basin that drains humic substances.[3][4]
Pielinen Lake is in the northernmost part of Finnish Karelia in the region of North Karelia. It is adjacent to Koli National Park, known for its scenery in summer, and winter skiing; and is near the whitewater rafting centres at Ruunaa Hiking Center, Lieksa and Nurmes.[6]