Minamiaiki Dam, Embankment dam in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Minamiaiki Dam is an embankment dam in Nagano Prefecture's mountainous terrain, rising 136 meters high and stretching roughly 440 meters across the valley. The reservoir behind it holds massive quantities of water used to generate electricity for the surrounding region.
Construction began in 1995, and the dam opened for operation in 2005 after a decade of engineering work. The project supported Japan's energy infrastructure expansion during that period.
The structure sits within the forest landscape of the region, and a park below it offers walking paths for visitors to explore. You can see how the dam coexists with the natural surroundings in this mountain area.
The site is accessible by mountain roads with viewpoints along the reservoir. Visitors should expect variable mountain weather and bring appropriate clothing for changing conditions.
The associated power plant operates as a pump-storage system that can push water back into the reservoir on demand. This capability allows electricity to be stored and released during peak demand periods.
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