Jääsjärvi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jääsjärvi |
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| Location | Hartola and Joutsa |
| Coordinates | 61°36′N 26°07′E / 61.600°N 26.117°E |
| Type | Lake |
| Catchment area | Kymijoki |
| Basin countries | Finland |
| Max. length | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Max. width | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Surface area | 81.11 km2 (31.32 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 4.58 km (2.85 mi) |
| Max. depth | 28.2 km (17.5 mi) |
| Water volume | 0.372 km (0.231 mi) |
| Shore length1 | 303.73 km (188.73 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 92.3 km (57.4 mi) |
| Frozen | December–April |
| Islands | Vehkasalo, Hirtesalo, Kotisalo, Ohrasaari, Urrionsaari, Nautsalo |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Jääsjärvi is a big lake located in the country of Finland. It's a really important part of the natural landscape there. This lake is known for its many islands and its connection to other waterways.
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Where is Jääsjärvi Located?
Jääsjärvi is found in central Finland. It sits between two towns called Joutsa and Hartola. Imagine a map of Finland; Jääsjärvi is right in the middle, making it easy to reach from different areas.
Size and Shape
Jääsjärvi is quite large! It covers an area of about 81.11 square kilometres (31.32 sq mi). That's like having many football fields put together. The lake is roughly 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) wide. It has a very long shoreline, stretching for about 303.73 kilometres (188.73 mi). This long shoreline means there are lots of bays and hidden spots to explore.
Islands of Jääsjärvi
One of the coolest things about Jääsjärvi is its many islands. These islands make the lake look very interesting and offer places for nature to thrive. Some of the biggest islands are:
- Vehkasalo
- Hirtesalo
- Kotisalo
- Ohrasaari
- Urrionsaari
- Nautsalo
These islands are natural features that have been part of the lake for a very long time.
The Journey of Jääsjärvi's Water
Lakes are often connected to rivers and other lakes, and Jääsjärvi is no different. Its water is always on a journey!
Flowing Out
Water from Jääsjärvi flows out from its southwestern side. This outflow forms a river called Tainionvirta. The Tainionvirta River then carries Jääsjärvi's water into several smaller lakes. Eventually, this water makes its way to a much larger lake called Päijänne. Päijänne is one of Finland's biggest lakes, so Jääsjärvi plays a part in its water system.
Catchment Area
The water that flows into Jääsjärvi, and then out of it, is part of a larger system called the Kymijoki catchment area. A catchment area is like a big bowl where all the rain and melted snow eventually drain into a specific river or lake. So, Jääsjärvi is a piece of this much larger water puzzle in Finland.
Lake Conditions
Like many lakes in Finland, Jääsjärvi experiences different conditions throughout the year.
Freezing Over
During the colder months, from December to April, Jääsjärvi usually freezes over. This means the surface of the lake turns into solid ice. This is common for lakes in Finland due to the cold winter temperatures. When it's frozen, people might enjoy ice fishing or even skating on the lake, if it's safe.
