About Kemijarvi Dam

Kemijärvi is the most northerly regulated lake in Finland that is also a significant settlement centre, with the town of Kemijärvi sitting directly on its shores in northern Lapland. The lake covers around 240 square kilometres and was brought under regulation in 1965 as part of the Kemijoki hydropower development programme, raising the natural water level by several metres to increase the storage capacity of the river system. The reservoir holds approximately 850 million cubic metres. Kemijärvi lies at around 148 metres above sea level and is the headwater reservoir of the entire Kemijoki power cascade, which generates roughly a fifth of Finland's hydroelectric output. The town of Kemijärvi was once an important sawmill and timber-floating centre; today it serves as a gateway to skiing at Suomutunturi and wilderness tourism in the surrounding Lapland forests. The lake is a popular ice-fishing destination in winter, with vendace and brown trout among the most sought-after species.