Kazeya Dam, Gravity dam in Totsukawa, Japan
Kazeya Dam is a concrete structure that spans the Kumano River at roughly 329 meters wide and rises about 101 meters high to hold back water. The reservoir behind it stores water for communities downstream and helps manage seasonal river flow variations.
Construction was completed in 1960 by Obayashi Corporation as part of a larger effort to modernize water management across Japan's mountainous regions. This dam represented an important step forward in the country's approach to controlling rivers and preventing flooding.
This structure is integral to how local communities manage their relationship with the river and the surrounding mountains. Its presence shaped settlement patterns and remains a defining feature of the valley landscape that people navigate daily.
The dam can be viewed from several vantage points near the site that offer clear views of the structure and surrounding valley. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the area is mountainous with some uneven terrain and narrow paths around the reservoir.
The catchment area draws water from hundreds of square kilometers of mountainous terrain, making this installation a central piece of the local water cycle. The surrounding landscape clearly shows how infrastructure operates in steep alpine regions.
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