Sarutani Dam, Gravity dam in Gojō, Japan
Sarutani Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Kumano River in the city of Gojō, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It stands 74 m (about 240 ft) tall and stretches 170 m (about 560 ft) across, holding back a reservoir that supplies the surrounding region with water.
The dam was built by Nishimatsu Construction Company and completed in 1957 after seven years of work. It was part of a broader postwar effort to improve flood control and secure a reliable water supply for the Nara region.
The dam sits in a forested valley and has reshaped the river's course in a way that is still visible today. Visitors can see how the stored water feeds the surrounding farmland and keeps nearby villages supplied through dry seasons.
The dam is easy to reach from a main road and offers a clear view of the structure and the valley below. An online camera system lets visitors check water levels and current conditions before arriving.
The structure serves two separate purposes that are not obvious from the outside: it controls flooding downstream and also stores drinking water for a wide area. Most visitors notice only the wall itself, while the reservoir behind it quietly supplies homes and fields far from the site.
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