Sarutani Dam, Gravity dam in Gojō, Japan
Sarutani Dam is a concrete structure that spans 170 meters across the Kumano River and rises 74 meters above the riverbed. The facility was built to store water and manage flooding in the region.
Construction was carried out by Nishimatsu Construction Company and the project was completed in 1957 after seven years of intensive work. The completion marked an important milestone for water management in Nara Prefecture.
The dam serves as a key part of how Nara Prefecture manages its water resources for farming and community needs. Visitors can observe how this structure shapes the river and the lives of people in the surrounding area.
The facility offers an online camera system that allows visitors to follow water levels and operational conditions in real time. The dam is easily accessible from a main road and provides a good vantage point to view the structure and surrounding valley.
The reservoir behind the facility collects water from a large catchment area and supplies an entire region with drinking water and irrigation. This hidden role as a water storage system is not always obvious to visitors who mainly see the imposing wall in front of them.
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