Otaki Dam, Gravity dam in Kawakami, Japan
Otaki Dam is a gravity dam spanning 315 meters across the Kii River in Nara Prefecture, rising 100 meters above ground level. It stores water for hydroelectric generation and supplies water to nearby prefectures and industrial areas.
Work started in 1962 and stretched over multiple decades before the dam began operating in 2012. The project was a major long-term engineering effort for the region.
The Niukawa Shrine was relocated to higher ground during dam construction, marking a shift in how the local community connects with its sacred sites.
The dam sits in mountainous terrain with limited direct access, so check local road conditions in advance. Best views of the structure come from viewpoints in the surrounding hills.
The dam has four crest gates that can release massive amounts of water during emergencies in a single operation. This emergency system is rarely seen in action but shows impressive engineering planning.
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