Unazuki Dam, Gravity dam in Kurobe, Japan
Unazuki Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Kurobe River in the northern part of Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It stands 97 meters (about 320 feet) tall and 190 meters (about 625 feet) long, making it the lowest of the five dams along the Kurobe River system.
Construction of dams along the Kurobe River began in the early 20th century, driven by the need for electricity in the growing industrial region of Toyama. Unazuki Dam was the last to be completed, finishing the full series in March 2001.
The name Unazuki comes from the nearby hot spring town, which has long been a gateway to the Kurobe Gorge. Visitors often combine a stop at the dam with a ride on the Kurobe Gorge Railway that runs through the same valley.
The dam is in a mountain valley where weather can shift quickly, so bring warm and waterproof layers regardless of the season. Facilities nearby are limited, so it helps to stock up on food and water before heading into the area.
Between June and August, planned flushing operations release water through the dam to carry accumulated sediment downstream. These operations are timed to coincide with natural flood periods, allowing the river to move material the way it would without a dam.
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