Tōri Dam, Arch dam in Nanto, Japan.
Tōri Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Shō River in Nanto, in Toyama Prefecture. It stands 101 meters tall and runs about 219 meters across, making it one of the larger arch dams in Japan.
Tōri Dam was completed in 1967, during a period when Japan was investing heavily in hydroelectric power to meet growing energy demands. It was part of a broader wave of dam construction that reshaped many river valleys across the country.
The dam serves as an educational site where students and professionals study advanced engineering principles and water management techniques.
The dam sits in a mountain area and is easiest to reach by car, as public transport in this part of Nanto is limited. There are roadside viewpoints from which you can see the full span of the structure and the reservoir it forms.
Tōri Dam is among a small group of arch dams in Japan that exceed 100 meters in height, which was a notable engineering achievement when it was built. The curved shape works by pushing the water pressure sideways into the canyon walls, rather than straight down into the foundation.
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