.jpg)
Lakes and watercourses
We manage 80 lakes and 183 watercourses for nature, drinking water, energy and recreation—today and for the future.
Updated:
Quick summary of each heading on the page
Please note that all forms, digital applications (e-services) and some linked websites are currently in Swedish. Contact Citizen Service if you need help in English.
Our waters and why they matter
Extent and location
Much of our built-up areas lie close to lakes and watercourses. These waters must be managed for current and future generations.
Drinking water, energy and recreation
The Lule River and the Råne River are important for drinking water, hydropower and recreation. Lakes such as Svartbyträsket and Bodträsket offer recreational and aesthetic value.
Water in planning and goals
Water is one of five focus areas in the local environmental goals. Our plans stress public access to water areas and that protecting water quality must guide decisions.
Water quality, pressures and targets
Current status
About 50 percent of our lakes and watercourses do not reach good ecological status. Algal blooms occur to varying degrees.
Main causes
Eutrophication and low-oxygen conditions reduce quality. Habitats have been altered by physical pressures, including flow regulation linked to hydropower.
The Boden lake system – scope and status
Buddbyträsket, Bodträsket, Svartbyträsket, Lill Avan, Bodån and Vittjärvsträsket are included. Regulation of the Greater and Lesser Lule Rivers and the Boden power station stopped inflow from the river. Together with external loads of nitrogen and phosphorus, this has led to a moderate ecological status.
Target and timeline
Our goal is waters that offer positive experiences and can be used for recreation. Under the local environmental goals we follow the water management plan for the Bothnian Bay district. The target is good ecological status by 2027.
Measures to improve water
- Stormwater strategy adopted in April 2019 for long-term sustainable management
- Sanitation of wastewater discharges
- Inflow of fresh river water
- Compilation of actions and studies with proposals for next steps
- Reduction fishing to decrease cyprinids and strengthen predatory fish
- Phosphorus retention pond to reduce nutrient leakage from forest and farmland
Funding and information
Several actions are co-financed through national grants for local water projects via the County Administrative Board of Norrbotten. Current information and reports are available from the Community Building Administration.
Bathing water and algal blooms
Summer sampling
During summer, bathing water is sampled at several sites. Larger public bathing sites are classified under the European Union Bathing Water Directive. At Aldersjön, samples are taken every three weeks during the bathing season.
On-site signage
EU-classified bathing sites must display clear information on water quality. The rating is based on the last four years of samples, from “excellent” to “poor”. If pollution occurs, visitors are advised not to bathe and information explains the cause and actions taken.
Algal blooms – safety advice
When many microscopic algae accumulate, water becomes turbid and surface scums form. Avoid bathing during blooms. Keep small children and pets away. Pets can ingest harmful doses if they drink affected water or lick their fur after swimming.
Do you want to access a specific document? Contact Citizen Service, and we will help you retrieve and read the full document.
Contact
Citizen Service
E-mail: kommunen@boden.se
Phone: +46 921 620 00