Susobana Dam, Arch dam in Nagano, Japan
Susobana Dam is an arch dam in Nagano that directs water pressure outward to the surrounding rock face through its curved concrete design. The structure sits within a river valley and uses the landscape's shape to support its engineering function.
Construction took place between 1962 and 1969 as part of Japan's post-war infrastructure expansion in the Chubu region. The project reflected a period when dam building became a major focus of the nation's development efforts.
The dam represents a period of rapid technological advancement in Japanese civil engineering during the 1960s, marking the nation's industrial progress.
The site is accessible from several local viewpoints where visitors can observe the structure from different angles. Weather conditions and water levels affect visibility, so planning the visit during clear days helps with viewing the full scale of the construction.
The dam adjusts its water release schedule to support downstream agriculture while simultaneously creating habitats where local wildlife thrives. This balance between human needs and nature makes it distinctive in how it operates across seasons.
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