Pielinen

Pielinen
Pielinen as seen from Räsävaara.
Location	North Karelia
Coordinates	63°15′N 29°40′E / 63.250°N 29.667°E / 63.250; 29.667Coordinates: 63°15′N 29°40′E / 63.250°N 29.667°E / 63.250; 29.667
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)
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	610 km (380 mi)
Surface elevation	93.7 m (307 ft)
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 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Pielinen is the fourth largest lake of Finland, with a drainage basin area of 12,823 km² (4,951 sq mi) that is 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. As is common in Finnish lakes, the water color of the lake is dark on account of the high proportion of bogs present in the catchment of the drainage basin that drains humic substances.

Pielinen Lake is in the northernmost part of Karelia, which is the land of the Karelian peoples, a Northern European area of historical significance not only for Finland, but also for Russia and Sweden. Apart from the lake, several attractions on the shores of the lake are the Koli National Park known for its scenic beauty in summer and the winter sports of skiing, the whitewater rafting centre at Ruunaa Hiking Center, the active centres of Lieksa and Nurmes.

The lake is located at an elevation of 93.7 m (307 ft) in the North Karelia region in eastern Finland. It has a water spread area of 894.21 km² (345.26 sq mi) and a shore length of 610 m (2,000 ft), and is bound within geographical coordinates of 62°54–63°33N and 29°07–30°14E. The maximum length is 120 kilometres (75 mi) and the width varies from 1 to 40 km (0.62 to 24.85 mi). The lake's drainage area of 12,823 km² (4,951 sq mi) is equally distributed between Finland and Russia. The maximum depth of water in the lake is 60 m (200 ft) with a reported mean depth of 9.9 m (32 ft). The water courses that drain into the lake are the Haapajarvi-Valtimojarvi and Saramojoki from its north-west direction, Viekinjoki River and Lieksanjoki River from the north-east side, and flows from the small drainage basin of the Juvanjoki River into the west. The lake has many islands such the Paalasmaa (27.2 km²), Kynsisaari (13.7 km² (5.3 sq mi)), Porosaari (10.4 km² (4.0 sq mi)), Toinensaari (8.2 km² (3.2 sq mi)), Hattusaari (6.3 km² (2.4 sq mi)), Koveronsaari (6.1 km² (2.4 sq mi)) and Retusaari (5.6 km² (2.2 sq mi)). The lake drains, unregulated, southward through the Pielis River into the larger Saimaa Lake of the large Vuoksi watercourse, which is used for timber floating. The variation in water level is limited to 1.2 m (47 in); water transport on the lake is thus substantial. The catchment of the lake is densely forested, particularly on its rugged western shore, which is capped by Koli hill. At (347 metres (1,138 ft)), the point is the highest mountain in the catchment.