Akkajaure

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Akkajaure
image_lake = Akka mountain.jpg
caption_lake = Áhkká seen from the lake
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Norrbotten County, Lappland
coords = coord|67|38|07|N|17|38|29|E|region:SE_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type = man-made reservoir
inflow = 55% from Voujatätno river, 25% from nine other rivers, 20% via tunnel from Sitasjaure dam
outflow = Lule River (Luleälven), below Suorva dam
catchment = convert|4650|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on
basin_countries = Sweden
length = convert|60|km|mi|0|abbr=on
width = convert|5|km|mi|1|abbr=on
area = convert|266|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on
depth = convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on
max-depth = convert|92|m|ft|0|abbr=on
volume = km3 to mi3|5.9|abbr=mos|wiki=yes
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|453|m|ft|0|abbr=on
islands =
cities =
reference = Citation| url=http://www.cosis.net/members/onlib/request.php?file=EGU/HES/2003/3/hes-7-268.pdf| title=Physical modelling of the Akkajaure reservoir| first=J| last=Sahlberg| year=2003| journal=Hydrology and Earth System Sciences| volume=7| issue=3| page=268-282]

Akkajaure is one of the largest (reservoirs) in Sweden. It lies at the headwaters of the Lule River in Norrbotten County, in Swedish Lappland, within the Stora Sjöfallet national park. The lake formed after the construction of the first Suorva dam in 1913–1923. The rim of the current dam is at an elevation of convert|453|m|ft|0|abbr=on. When full, the lake's maximum depth is convert|92|m|ft|0|abbr=on, and its mean depth is about convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on. Because it is used for power generation, the lake depth fluctuates by up to convert|30|m|ft|0|abbr=on.

On 12 November 1944, Avro_Lancaster bombers of RAF squadrons 9 and 617 flying from Lossiemouth and Milltown rendezvoused over Akkajaure and began their approach to destroy the German_battleship_Tirpitz. [http://www.museumsnett.no/midttromsmuseum/mtm/Tirpitz/tirpitz%20historie/tallboy.htm] The lake was readily recognizable from the air and its location afforded time to climb to the attack altitude of 14,000-16,000 feet and for a required five minutes of straight and level flying to the target for the bombsights to stabilize. Twenty-nine bombers made the rendezvous on time and attacked as planned. Two other bombers arrived late over the lake, proceeded on course, found the "Tirpitz" already capsized from the previous attack, and returned to Scotland with their bombs intact. [Jeffrey Watkins, presentation 28 October 2008 to symposium "The Sinking of the German Battleship Tirpitz", San Diego, Calif., US (his current residence). Watkins piloted one of the 29 Lancasters in the successful attack.]

A report that the rendzvous point was instead a "lake 100 miles south-east of Tromsø" [http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/tirpitz.html] is not accurate.

References