Storavan, reservoir

Storavan is a regulated lake in Arjeplog and Arvidsjaur municipalities in Lapland, 183 square kilometres in area and 21 metres deep, lying 419 metres above sea level. It is the third largest lake in the Skellefte River system after Uddjaure and Hornavan, and its outflow joins Naustajaure at Slagnäs through the short Bergnäsälven. The photograph shows open grey-brown water, a forested far shore and tall conifers on the right bank.

Storavan's outflow was dammed at Bergnäs before 1936, the first of three regulation stages. In 1956 dredging at Kaskerströmmen, at Uddjaure's outlet, lowered the surface by about 40 cm; in 1958 the level was raised again. Storavan and Uddjaure now form a hydropower reservoir regulated between 418 and 420 m above sea level, and the raised water also takes in lakes west of Uddjaure such as Fluka, Aisjaure and Korsträsket.

The lake's other name, Buovđđahávva, is the Sami form recorded for it. Its outflow joins Lake Naustajaure at Slagnäs through a short channel known as Bergnäsälven, where the rapids draw recreational anglers. The water level is managed as a power reservoir together with Uddjaure, held between 418 and 420 metres above sea level.

Storavan is regulated together with Uddjaure as a hydropower reservoir, its surface held between 418 and 420 m above sea level, so shoreline and water level shift with regulation. The outlet is a short link to Naustajaure at Slagnäs, also called Bergnäsälven, where the rapids draw recreational anglers. Access is from Slagnäs and Arjeplog Municipality roads; the water is cold even in summer.

Storavan is regulated together with Uddjaure as a hydropower reservoir, its surface held between 418 and 420 m above sea level. The first stage came before 1936, when the Bergnäs dam was built at the lake's outlet; in 1956 dredging at the Kaskerströmmen raised the level by about 40 cm, and in 1958 the water was raised again. The outlet is a short link to Lake Naustajaure at Slagnäs, known as the Bergnäsälven, where the rapids draw recreational anglers.