Hiekanpaa

Finland Lake 1 - Excellent

Hiekanpää is a sandy beach bathing site located in southern Pieksäjärvi lake, approximately one kilometre from Pieksämäki city centre in Finland. The beach is primarily open sand area, approximately 200 metres long, with significant use for beach volleyball. The lake has a water surface area of approximately 20 square kilometres, with an average depth of 2.2 metres and maximum depth of 14.5 metres. The beach bottom consists of firm, light-coloured sand near the shore, transitioning to soft mud substrate further out.

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Water

Lake (Pieksäjärvi). Water surface area approximately 20 square kilometres. Average depth 2.2 metres. Maximum depth 14.5 metres. Visibility depth approximately 1.1 to 3.8 metres. The beach slopes very gently. Water level variation approximately 40 centimetres. The bathing site is located in a bay with no significant currents.

Location

Pieksämäki, Finland. Address: Rennenpolku 10, 76100 Pieksämäki. Coordinates: latitude 62.3030, longitude 27.1409. Approximately one kilometre south of Pieksämäki city centre.

Facilities

10–15 beach volleyball courts. Benches with rubbish bins. Two large rubbish bins. Two viewing stands. Two rescue rings. Four changing cabins. Two prohibition signs for pets. Two information and safety instruction signs. No lifeguards are organized.

Season

Monitoring conducted from June to July. Four water samples taken per season: one approximately two weeks before the season and the remainder during the season with intervals not exceeding one month.

Water Quality

Water quality classification: excellent. Chlorophyll-a 6.4 µg/l (excellent). Total phosphorus 20 µg/l (excellent). Total nitrogen 510 µg/l (excellent). pH 6.9–7.4. Turbidity 1.4–5.7 FNU. Water colour brownish due to humic content. Monitoring results from 2015–2020 show enterococcus levels consistently below 400 pmy/100ml and E. coli levels below 1000 MPN/100ml. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have occurred annually in short-lived outbreaks. No remedial actions have been required.

Risks

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occur annually in short-lived outbreaks, particularly during warm periods with calm weather and stagnant water conditions. Risk increases as the bathing season progresses. Wastewater pumping station located approximately 100 metres west of the beach. One wastewater pipe runs along the lake bottom near the beach. City stormwater drains directly into the east side of the beach via open ditch, with potential impact on water quality during heavy rainfall. Slow water exchange increases contamination risk.