Näätämö (river)

The Näätämö (Finland) or Neiden (Norway, Finnish: Näätämöjoki, Northern Sami: Njeävdám, Norwegian: Neidenelva) is a river in Finland's Lapland, north of Lake Inari. It flows from Lake Iijärvi in Inari Municipality through Norway's Sør-Varanger Municipality and empties into the Neidenfjorden, an arm off the main Varangerfjorden.[1]

Näätämö Neiden
View of the village of Neiden
Location
Country	Norway, Finland
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Lake Iijärvi, Inari, Finland
• elevation	193 m (633 ft)
Mouth
• location	Neidenfjorden (Arctic Sea), Sør-Varanger, Norway
• coordinates	69°42′06″N 029°32′28″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	100 km (62 mi)

The portion of the river within Finland, the Näätämö, is approximately 50-kilometre (31 mi) long and drops down approximately 130 metres (430 ft) from the elevation of Lake Iijärvi (193 metres or 633 feet above sea level). At several points, the river widens into lakes, of which the largest are Lakes Kaarttilompolo, Vuodasluobal, and Opukas.

Based on annual catch, the Neiden is Norway's third most productive river for salmon fishing. Atlantic salmon, lake trout, sea trout, graylings and pike are all indigenous species.

Waterfall on the Näätämö in Norway