Loppi, Vesistötietoa

Lake Iso-Melkutin

Lake Iso-Melkutin is a large, emerald green lake located in the middle of a narrow ridge line. Lake Iso-Melkutin covers 62 hectares, and it is 1.7 km in length and 850 m in width. Three long capes formed by a singular esker can be seen above the water, and the esker continues even under water. Lake Vähä-Melkutin on the west side became a separate lake when the esker reached over the area. Cape Nappilahdennokka is the next tip of the esker. It forms Nappilahti Bay and is more than 300 metres in length. It is extended by Cape Tokholmannokka, which almost separates Purinlahti Bay from the rest of the lake. Cape Tokholmannokka is 400 m in length.

Source: Wikipedia


Source: Wikipedia


The catchment area of Lake Iso-Melkutin 

Lake Iso-Melkutin is part of the Lake Kaartjärvi catchment area, which in turn is part of the Lake Vanajavesi catchment area in the water body of River Kokemäenjoki. The lake is located at the tip of the water body, and water flows into it from Tammela’s Lake Kaitajärvi in the west, and Lake Valkealammi in the north. Water runs along a short ditch from Lake Iso-Melkutin to River Ämmäoja, where also the drainage waters of the ditched Purinsuo Mire end up. The water then goes to the large Lake Kaartjärvi via Yli-Mylly and Ali-Mylly, Lake Taipaleenjärvi and Lake Alimmainen. From Lake Kaartjärvi, the water continues its journey along River Kaartjoki to River Hyvikkälänjoki, and along River Hiidenjoki down to Lake Vanajavesi and, finally, by Pori, it falls into the Baltic Sea.


Source: Wikipedia


The lake’s history

Lake Iso-Melkutin came about when the last ice age melted, and the third ridge of the Salpausselkä ridge system was formed. Water flowing from the melting icecap in the north west created a large sandur, that is, an estuary named Pernunnumi sandur delta. It is possible that Lake Iso-Melkutin, located by the southern edge of the sandur, was formed when gigantic ice blocks, fallen in an ice crevasse, were covered by sand and gravel. The blocks formed deep holes for the lake water to remain in.

Lähde: Wikipedia


Source: Wikipedia


Underwater nature

The exceptionally clear water of Lake Iso-Melkutin has a visibility of approximately 4–8 metres, depending on the season. The maximum depth is approximately 27 m. The beaches are sand and gravel based. Along the shoreline, there are various fallen trees, where perch (Perca fluviatiliscan be found. Pike (Esox luciuscan also be found hiding near the bed of reeds by the shore, in the depth of approximately 2-3 m. In addition, there are lots of differently sized piles of rocks in the lake, where small fish such as perch (Perca fluviatilis) and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), can be found, as well as later in the autumn, burbot (Lota lota). The place is ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. There is a good beach on the eastern side of Lake Iso-Melkutin, and steps built by scuba divers can be found by the lean-to shelter shaped like a bat at the north-western tip of the lake. 

Source: Riihimäen urheilusukeltajat


Source: Riihimäen urheilusukeltajat


Fishing on Lake Iso-Melkutin

Fishing with a rod and line is part of Everyman’s rights in Finland. Everyone aged between 18 and 64 needs to pay the state fisheries management fee. Fishing authorisation can be purchased conveniently at www.eraluvat.fi. The authorisation entitles you to fish with a single rod, reel and lure. Other licences are granted by Räyskälä shareholders, and they can be purchased at the Räyskälä village shop. Fish species found in Lake Iso-Melkutin include, for instance, perch (Perca fluviatilis), ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), pike (Esox lucius) and burbot (Lota lota). In addition, there is a naturally increasing whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) fleet in the lake. 


Residents of Lake Iso-Melkutin and rarities

The warm and dry sun-drenched slopes opening to the south have quite a unique flora. The field locoweed (Oxytropis campestris) and breckland thyme (Thymus serpullum) are typical plants growing on the sun-drenched esker slopes. The highly endangered Eastern pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens, image) is a traditional plant in Häme, and its westernmost occurrence is in the area of Lakes Melkuttimet. The rare plant species of the sunny slopes provide nutrition for various endangered or rare species of insects. The growing areas of the Eastern pasque flower are protected by law, and the plant shall under no circumstances be picked or moved. 


There are small pine mires and bogs in the depressions of the esker and by the ponds. Species thriving in the damp environment of a flowing brook include the marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata subsp. Incarnata), scarce chaser (Libellula fulva) and river skater (Aquarius najas). Birds thriving in the region include the black-throated loon (Gavia arctica) and the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus).


Source: Metsähallitus (www.luontoon.fi)


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