Ikehara Dam, Arch dam in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Ikehara Dam is an arch structure in Nara Prefecture that spans the valley over 460 meters and rises 111 meters above the riverbed. The concrete construction forms a wide water surface backed by steep forested slopes, while the stored water turns the river into an elongated lake.
Construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1964, making the facility one of the important water management projects of that era in Japan. The completion changed the landscape around Shimokitayama permanently and created a new environment in the region.
The reservoir draws anglers who may meet residents of the Yoshino District as they relax along the shores or prepare their fishing gear. Over the years the structure has become a spot where locals regularly seek the quiet of the water landscape and spend time outdoors.
Visitors should be prepared for narrow roads winding through mountainous terrain that lead to viewpoints near the reservoir. During wet weather walking along the shoreline areas can become slippery, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
The concrete structure follows the natural shape of the narrow valley using compression to distribute the weight of the water onto the rocky sidewalls. This design allowed for a thinner wall compared to other approaches and made the project a technical achievement in the 1960s.
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