Pedja jõgi water level & weather
Town of Jõgeva — gauging point near the lower course
Current conditions
Hourly forecast
7-day forecast
Forecast model comparison
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River data
- Length
- 125 km
- Drainage basin
- 2688 km²
- Source
- Simuna spring lake, Pandivere Upland (Lääne-Viru County)
- Mouth
- Emajõgi (near Rannu, Tartu County)
The Pedja is a 125 km long river that rises from the Simuna spring-fed lake on the Pandivere Upland and flows into the Emajõgi in the western part of Tartu County. The river's floodplain belt — a flood-prone plain up to 10 km wide — is the core of the Alam-Pedja nature reserve and one of Estonia's largest complexes of boggy floodplains. The Pedja's spring floods are remarkably extensive in volume among Estonia's rivers.
History & culture
The Alam-Pedja nature reserve was established in 1957 to protect the river's natural floodplain structure and the ecosystems of its boggy forests, which are habitats for rare species. For centuries the river's floodplain meadows were the basis of local farm hay production — the spring floods filled the meadows with nutrients. The Jõgeva agricultural research centre was founded near the river because the floodplain lands represent the typical soil types of central Estonia.
Seasonal changes
The Pedja's spring high water is exceptionally extensive — in April large stretches of the floodplain are regularly inundated and Alam-Pedja partly turns into open water; at the summer low in July–August the discharge falls below 10 m³/s.
Local climate
| Month | Avg °C | Highest °C | Lowest °C | Precip mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4.5 | 4.4 | -22.4 | 50.1 |
| Feb | -5.1 | 4.5 | -21.9 | 39.2 |
| Mar | -1.3 | 10.3 | -16.3 | 35.6 |
| Apr | 5.1 | 20.6 | -6.1 | 33.5 |
| May | 10.9 | 25.5 | -2.9 | 45.2 |
| Jun | 15.0 | 27.2 | 1.7 | 84.6 |
| Jul | 17.5 | 29.0 | 5.5 | 65.1 |
| Aug | 16.0 | 28.1 | 3.4 | 89.6 |
| Sep | 11.3 | 22.7 | -1.0 | 52.2 |
| Oct | 5.6 | 15.5 | -6.1 | 69.3 |
| Nov | 0.9 | 9.3 | -10.8 | 55.4 |
| Dec | -2.3 | 5.5 | -16.1 | 52.2 |
Frequently asked questions
When does the high water arrive?
The Pedja's spring high water is exceptionally extensive — in April large stretches of the floodplain are regularly inundated and Alam-Pedja partly turns into open water; at the summer low in July–August the discharge falls below 10 m³/s.
When does Pedja jõgi freeze?
Pedja jõgi usually freezes in January, when the area's average January air temperature drops to -4.5°C. The ice typically lasts until March, when the spring thaw begins.
Is Pedja jõgi suitable for canoeing?
Pedja jõgi is best for canoeing from May to September, when the water level is stable and the current moderate. During the April spring flood, expect a faster current.
Where does Pedja jõgi begin and end?
Pedja jõgi begins Simuna spring lake, Pandivere Upland (Lääne-Viru County) and flows into Emajõgi (near Rannu, Tartu County).
How long is Pedja jõgi?
The river is 125 km long.
Is Pedja jõgi good for fishing?
Pedja jõgi is rich in fish: common species are pike, perch and burbot. The best fishing is early spring (March–April) and autumn (September–October). Check the fishing rules on the Environmental Board website before you go.