Kawachi Dam, Civil engineering heritage gravity dam in Yahatahigashi-ku, Japan
Kawachi Dam is a gravity dam located in Yahatahigashi-ku that measures 189 meters across and 44.1 meters in height. The reservoir it creates holds approximately 7 million cubic meters of water.
Construction of the dam started in 1919 and was completed in 1927 during a period of rapid regional industrialization. The project supported the growth of steel manufacturing facilities that needed reliable water supplies.
The dam holds recognition as a civil engineering heritage site and represents how communities once managed water resources for industrial needs. Visitors can observe how the structure shaped the region's relationship with local rivers and development.
The Minami-Kawachi Bridge crosses the reservoir and provides access to hiking trails and recreational areas in Kitakyushu Seminational Park. Wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for changing weather conditions when exploring the surrounding landscape.
The structure was built using stone and mortar techniques rather than the reinforced concrete that was becoming standard elsewhere. This traditional approach to construction makes it a rare example of early twentieth-century engineering choices.
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