About Inarijarvi Dam

Inarijärvi is Finland's third-largest lake and the country's most significant regulated natural water body, lying deep within the Arctic wilderness of Lapland close to the Norwegian and Russian borders. Covering approximately 1,040 square kilometres, this vast subarctic lake was first regulated in 1942 to support hydroelectric power generation on the Paatsjoki river system. With a total water volume of around 15,000 million cubic metres, Inarijärvi ranks among the largest freshwater reservoirs in the whole of Scandinavia. The lake lies at an elevation of roughly 119 metres above sea level and is frozen for up to six months of the year. Its shores are home to the indigenous Sámi people, who have fished and herded reindeer here for thousands of years. The lake's exceptional clarity, remote wilderness character, and abundant Arctic char and brown trout populations make it a prized destination for anglers from across Europe. Regulation of the water level is carefully balanced against the ecological needs of the lake, fish spawning habitats, and the cultural rights of the Sámi. Inarijärvi also serves as a critical freshwater reserve for the surrounding region.