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Rivers and Lakes of Estonia

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The natural river system can be regarded as one of the most important values of Estonian nature. Above all, this involves riverine and riparian habitats. Only a few natural watercourses in Estonia have been straightened, though the water regime and quality may have been changed as a result of ditching and damming. Regular natural floods occur periodically on many rivers.

There are about 1,500 lakes of considerable size in Estonia. In addition, thousands of smaller ponds and bog pools can be counted. The area covered by lakes in Estonia occupies over 2,000 km2, two thirds of which is Lake Peipsi - the fifth biggest lake in Europe. Another big lake, Lake Vortsjarv, takes up about one sixth of the total area of lakes. The South Estonian upland areas are the most abundant in lakes. Majority of lakes are classified as glacial by genesis. Estonian lakes are subject to intensive eutrophication and many of them are already overgrown with weeds.