We took a look at recent water-related articles in Finnish media. The articles are written in Finnish and, with the exception of Yle, are behind paywalls. ___
Suomen Luonto (5/2026) writes about loon researcher Pekka Lehtonen, who spends his summers on Lake Suontee in Joutsa observing the loons that nest there. The article makes it clear that the loon is a true waterbird.
“A bird diving beneath the surface soon reappears far from the place where it was last seen slipping under the water. During a dive, it can travel 500–800 metres. A loon usually remains underwater for half a minute to a minute, but if necessary it can stay submerged for several minutes. At its longest, a dive may reach depths of up to 30 metres.” ___
Savon Sanomat (26 June) presents the Lintuniemi nature reserve in Karttula, Kuopio, which has become familiar to many through aerial images shared on social media. Based on the article, the roughly two-kilometre-long peninsula is a beautiful and easily accessible excursion destination.
“The peninsula is narrow enough that the lake is visible on at least one side of the path almost the entire time. The pine-needle path runs between bilberry shrubs, at times rocky and tangled with roots.” ___
Helsingin Sanomat (27 June) visited New Zealand’s Blue Lake, or Rotomairewhenua, which is considered the clearest lake in the world. The unique lake is threatened by lindavia algae, which has already spread to other lakes in the national park.
“There are several warning and prohibition signs near Rotomairewhenua. The future of the lake will not fail for lack of information. The message is simple: you may look, but you must not touch.” ___
Suomen Kuvalehti (27/2026) claims that Finns are divided into lake people and sea people.
“The sea is a demanding environment; it is not for wimps. The weather at sea is often more merciless, the trees more twisted and the rocks more barren. It will swallow up a small human being as a snack, if it comes to that. The few inhabitants of the archipelago are respected as tough-skinned people. On the shore of a lake, anyone with soft hands can manage. The water tastes, as its Finnish name suggests, sweet in the mouth, and it can be drunk, at least in an emergency.” ___
According to Yle (5 July), groundwater levels are now low, or even exceptionally low, across large parts of Finland. The situation may become visible during the summer as cottage wells run dry, and in wells with low water levels it is also worth monitoring water quality. Many lakes are also lower than usual.
“The reason for the situation is the early spring and the low-snow winter that preceded it. Groundwater is mainly replenished by meltwater from snow, but this year that happened earlier than usual and there was little water.”