Pyhaselka is a large lake in eastern Finland, the northernmost lake of the Saimaa lake system. Its altitude is 74-78 metres above sea level.
Geography
The water surface of Lake Pyhaselka is more than 361.1 km² (the twelfth largest lake in Finland by area). The lake is located in the province of North Karelia. Largest settlement on the lake is Joensuu and other settlements on the lake are Niittulahti, Niva, Liperi and Räakküla. The Pielisjoki River, which rises in Lake Pielinen, flows into the lake from the north-east, and a canal, which was dug in the 19th century to bring water from Lake Höytäinen, flows into the lake from the north. There are more than 300 islands on the lake, the largest of which are the pair of islands Tikansaari (146 ha and 90 ha), Pesolansaari (289 ha), Suursaari (324 ha) and Matinsaari (146 ha).
Ecology of Lake Pyhaselka
The water quality of the lake is classified as fair to good (2013). The main pollutants are sewage from the settlements located on the shore, agricultural runoff and the activities of the pulp and paper mill in Uimaharju. But recently the water quality has improved due to the new treatment plant in Kuhasalo (Joensuu). The almost complete cessation of timber floating on the Pielisjoki River. There are two protected natural areas in the lake area: Orivesi/Archipelago Pyhäselkä and Joki-Hautalampi.
There are popular sailing routes on the lake. In winter (February-March) there are at least 60 km of cross-country skiing and skating trails on the lake. In summer, beaches open up in the settlements.
Scenes for the Oscar-winning film Doctor Zhivago, starring Omar Sharif, were filmed on and around the ice of the lake in the spring of 1965.
Animals living on Lake Pyhaselka
The lake is an important breeding ground for birds (tern, kingfisher, shorebird) and a breeding ground for the Steller sea lion (in the Orivesi/Archipelago Pyhäselkä area in the south-eastern part of the lake).
