Puruvesi

Puruvesi
Location Eastern Finland
Coordinates 61°50′N 029°27′E / 61.833°N 29.450°ECoordinates: 61°50′N 029°27′E / 61.833°N 29.450°E
Basin countries Finland
Surface area 420.86 km2 (162.49 sq mi)[1]
Average depth 8.76 m (28.7 ft)
Max. depth 61 m (200 ft)
Water volume 3,655 km3 (2.963×109 acre·ft)
Shore length1 923.97 km (574.13 mi)
Surface elevation 75.7 m (248 ft)[1]
Islands 720
Settlements Kerimäki, Kesälahti, Punkaharju
References [1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Puruvesi is a lake in Eastern Finland. The lake is located in Kerimäki, Kesälahti and Punkaharju municipalities. Part of the Saimaa lake system, it borders on the sub-lake system of Pihlajavesi to the south. As is the case of other lakes of Saimaa, it has numerous islands and consists of numerous open lake areas, of which largest are Hummonselkä, Pajuselkä, Sammalselkä, Mustanselkä, and Ruosteselkä.[2]

The lake is known for its pure water and has uniquely good underwater visibility for a Finnish lake, easily extending to 6–10 metres (20–33 ft) from surface on calm and sunny days.[2]

Recently, the Saimaa Ringed Seal, a rare freshwater seal species, has returned to Puruvesi. Sightings of this animal have occurred frequently in 2006, 2007 and 2008. At least one seal was also sighted in the winter of 2009 as having wintered and given birth in the eastern part of Puruvesi.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Puruvesi. Puruvesi in Järviwiki Web Service. Finnish Environment Institute. Retrieved 2014-03-08. (English)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Etelä-Savon ympäristökeskus: Puruvesi. Retrieved 2014-03-08. (Finnish)
  3. ↑ HS: Saimaannorppa (Finnish)

External links