Pyhäselkä

Pyhäselkä is a freshwater lake in Eastern Finland, located in the North Karelia region. It is part of the Pielisjoki river system and lies along the southern edge of Joensuu, with shorelines reaching into nearby municipalities such as Liperi and Kontiolahti. The lake serves as a link within the Pielisjoki watercourse between Lake Pielinen and the Joensuu area downstream.

The lake has an elongated shape with numerous bays, coves and islands. Its shores are a mix of urban, suburban and natural landscapes, including wetlands and forested areas that provide habitat for wildlife. Pyhäselkä experiences seasonal variation in water level and quality, influenced by rainfall, snowmelt and water management within the larger river system.

Ecology and recreation: Pyhäselkä supports a range of freshwater fish and bird life typical of eastern Finnish lakes. It is used for recreational activities such as boating, fishing and swimming, and the Joensuu waterfront offers parks, promenades and public access points along the shore.

Etymology: Pyhäselkä derives from Finnish pyhä (holy) and selkä (back, broad expanse), a common toponym for lakes described as broad water surfaces.

See also: Pielisjoki, Lake Pielinen, Joensuu.

References: Regional water authorities and national topographic data provide maps and basic information about Pyhäselkä.