Narude Dam, dam in Toyama and Gifu prefectures, Japan
Narude Dam is a concrete gravity structure spanning the Shō River, rising approximately 53 meters high and stretching about 190 meters across. It has a straightforward, functional design with solid proportions that dominate the river valley.
The dam was constructed in 1951 as part of Japan's post-World War II rebuilding efforts. It represented a key moment in the region's shift toward hydroelectric power generation and modern water management infrastructure.
The dam's name reflects the local relationship with water management and regional development. Residents view this structure as a quiet symbol of progress that has become woven into their daily landscape and community identity over the decades.
Visit on calm days when water levels are stable for the clearest views of the structure and surrounding landscape. The nearby Gassho-Ohashi Bridge offers a good vantage point to observe the dam and the reservoir from above.
Visitors often overlook that the dam operates turbines driven by water pressure, quietly generating electricity for the surrounding region without visible mechanical movement. This hidden working system beneath the concrete surface has sustained local communities for over 70 years.
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