Lake Saimaa's water level is reported to be 25 centimeters below average, a situation expected to persist throughout the summer. This decline creates challenges for boaters, as areas that were previously navigable are now posing hazards due to exposed rocks and shoals. According to Tapio Tuukkanen, a leading water resource expert at the Regional Development Center, the water level is anticipated to rise due to snowmelt; however, it will subsequently fall again, finishing the season at least half a meter below the average peak level.

The underlying cause of this phenomenon is attributed to a prolonged dry period affecting the Saimaa water system, which has persisted for more than two years. Currently, the snowpack, which is expected to contribute to the water levels upon melting, has a water yield estimated to be only half of standard levels. This disconnect between snowpack thickness and moisture content indicates that, despite appearances, a significant amount of air exists within the snow, thus lessening its water contribution when it melts.

Forecasts indicate that the peak water levels in Saimaa will occur around mid-May, which contrasts with the usual peak in July shortly after Midsummer. This unusual timing and the low levels have already impacted local sectors, such as professional fishing, where docks formerly available for use are now sitting dry land, highlighting the broader implications of fluctuating water levels on local economies and activities in Finland.