Finnish Metsähallitus published a new Guide to Water Resources Management

Water Bodies Under Pressure: Metsähallitus Publishes New Guide on Best Practices for Water Management

Finland’s aquatic environments are facing increasing pressure from climate change, eutrophication, catchment-based nutrient loading, and biodiversity loss. In response, Metsähallitus has published a new comprehensive water management guide, the first of its kind in Finland, that brings together a unified approach to managing, restoring and protecting state-owned waters—from small forest streams to coastal areas.

The guide is intended not only for Metsähallitus experts but also for authorities, researchers, contractors and other stakeholders. By providing a shared framework, it aims to facilitate cooperation, increase transparency, and support more coherent decision-making in daily work. In addition, the guide promotes catchment-level planning and supports long-term water management across Finland.

In total of 231 pages, the Guide to Water Resources Management contains background information on aquatic biodiversity and the principles of water resources management (Part 1) as well as instructions and examples (Part 2). The Guide is intended to support both planners and implementers in field conditions. Planners will find both parts useful, whereas Part 2 serves as an independent set of instructions for implementers. The feedback has been positive, and as an online publication, the future feedback is easy to be updated whenever it is needed.

Metsähallitus manages nearly 3.5 million hectares of water areas across Finland. The new guide provides a practical and wide-ranging framework that outlines shared principles, objectives and working methods for water management. It aims to improve the effectiveness, consistency and forward-looking nature of actions at a time when water bodies urgently require concrete measures.
According to Director General Juha Niemelä, the guide strengthens the impact of water management and helps balance diverse uses and conservation needs under changing environmental and climate conditions.

The guide in currently only available in Finnish. For more information, contact Antti Karppinen (Senior Specialist, Ecological Management)