Lake Kutajärvi Area. 02/02/04; Southern Finland; 1,051 ha; 61°03'N 025°27'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, WHCP, Nationally Important Landscape Area. Comprising six separate areas including some bays of Vesijärvi Lake and the Lake of Kutajärvi, the complex presents a total of 980 ha of water with valuable aquatic vegetation in the form of helophytes, submerged vegetation as well as sedge meadows and bush zones. The site is an important area for breeding for about 1000 pairs of 16-18 species, and both lakes are notable as staging areas during migration and molting periods, with peak numbers including several thousand ducks. Threatened birds include for example Moorhen, Slavonian Grebe, Spotted Crake and Crane. Most of the area is surrounded by agricultural land. Water quality has improved after a sewage treatment plant began operation in 1976, but the waters still contain excessive nutrients. In some areas, disturbances are caused by increasing boating and fishing and hunting of waterfowl in autumn. Other adverse factors are overgrown meadows, increase of holiday cottage building, and unauthorized dredging. An ecological management programme concerning fish-management and nutrients of agriculture has been in operation at Vesijärvi since 1987. Ramsar site no. 1515. Most recent RIS information: 2005.