Date of interview: Sunday, 06/08/2014
I came to Katada Dam in Tsu City because there is a dam in Mie Prefecture that has a moco dam. Actually, I had visited there on May 31 of the same year, but was not able to enter that day and had to revisit the following week. We had lunch at Ichi Masubin, a famous yakiniku restaurant in Mie, and arrived at the dam shortly before 3:00 p.m., a slow pace.
Although it came a week ago...
The time was around 5:30 p.m. The museum seemed to close at 4:30 p.m., but Saturday itself was a closed day. It was a day after I went to Gotemba Beach in Tsu City for tide-pooling, so I had no choice.
Open main gate
Katada Dam is also home to the Tsu City Waterworks Museum and a water park, and is often used for school field trips.
View of the downstream face of the dike
We will visit the dike immediately. This, this, this, and this. It is a little late in the season, but it seems to be dyed a beautiful pink at the peak of the season with satsuki (Japanese azalea). Unfortunately, however, it is closed to visitors.
View of the downstream face of the levee through the fence
I would love to visit when the satsuki trees are in full bloom, but there are still quite a few flowers on the left bank. It may be because of the long hours of sunlight.
Looking through the fence toward the left bank on the downstream face of the dike
No other dam has satsuki trees planted on the downstream face of the embankment. However, it is a little regrettable that we cannot get any closer to the embankment. It is a pity that we cannot get any closer to the embankment, but it can't be helped, as it is to protect the water that keeps Tsu citizens alive.
View of the plaza downstream from the fence area
The downstream area is beautifully maintained. You can see that the lawn is well maintained.
Museum (former management office)
This wooden building full of Taisho romanticism was constructed in October 1926, when the waterworks were laid, and was used as an administrative office until December 1988. The construction of the embankment itself was started in 1921 and completed in 1929, so it is understood that it was built during the construction period.
Illustration of Sangumo Water Filtration Plant and Takachaya Water Filtration Plant
Illustrated panels of the Sangumo Water Filtration Plant and the Takachaya Water Filtration Plant were displayed. The panels are handwritten and give a sense of history.
Water Quality Inspection Equipment
It is important for tap water to taste good, but what is most important is that it is safe and secure in terms of hygiene. I believe that the fact that these inspections have been conducted for a long time is one of the factors that have increased the life expectancy of the Japanese people.
We can turn on the tap and get water for free, but we can only be thankful that such diligent management makes it possible for us to drink water with peace of mind.
Old pumps
The pumps were used at the Takajaya Water Treatment Plant from 1948 to 1975, and were originally used at the naval arsenal before being disposed of and installed.
Photographs documenting the construction of Katada Dam and water supply system
There are also some very valuable photo panels on display. It is unclear whether the timber panels are scaffolding or formwork, but it is interesting to see how the embankment was constructed.
A number of valuable photos
A number of very interesting intake towers and other valuable photos are displayed.
Tsu City Waterworks Museum
Next, we will visit the Tsu City Waterworks Museum. Here, too, there were many exhibits, including panels and a hands-on corner. I took my child there at the time, and he enjoyed playing the quiz game.
No way, at the top end!
When I was playing with my family at the museum, the wife of one of the staff members saw my car license plate number and asked me to come all the way from outside of the prefecture to show them the skyline. She told me that since I had come all the way from outside of the prefecture, why don't you show me the top of the mountain? He was kind enough to take me to the top of the mountain.
Looking toward the right bank from the top
It was a really beautifully maintained embankment, and the grass was beautifully mowed. I did not take pictures of the reservoir side because it was forbidden to do so for security reasons, but I hope you can get an idea of what it looks like from the panels in the museum. (This is a common story for water supply dams.)
It's a pity that the only way to see it is to burn it into your eyes, but the intake tower is very cute and the truss bridge to cross to the intake tower is very historic and tasteful. (Just Google it and you will find many photos of the upstream side, if you are interested.)
View of the archives of the old administration office and the levee
After a quick tour of the embankment, we looked back again from the downstream side. The staff seemed to know dam enthusiasts who visit dams all over the country, and they seemed to have guided many of them to the top of the dam. I was surprised to see people I knew.
View of the downstream face of the levee from outside the site
The museum also has exhibits for children, so it is a great place to visit with children. The best time to see the satsuki trees is usually from late May to early June, so why not take a tour at that time?
The Katada Dam, dyed pink by the satsuki (Japanese azalea) on its embankment, was carefully and beautifully managed.
Katada Dam Specifications
| Location | Katada Yakuoji-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture |
| River Name | Unde River system Nagano River |
| Objective | W(Water for water supply) |
| Model | E(earth dam) |
| Bank height | 26.6m |
| Bank length | 131.6m |
| Dam volume | 194,000 m3 |
| Watershed Area | 29.5 km2 (direct: 0.5 km2, indirect: 29 km2) |
| Reservoir area | - Ha. |
| Total storage capacity | 1,478,000 m3 |
| Effective water storage capacity | 1,293,000 m3 |
| Dam operator | Tsu City |
| Main body constructor | Directly managed by dam operator |
| Year of launch | 1921. |
| Year Completed | 1929. |
| Name of Dam Lake |
Other facilities/observations
| Parking lot | ○ |
| Toilet | ○ |
| Park | ○ |
| PR Exhibition Hall | ○ |
| Fishing | × |
| Viewing platform | × |
Map around Katada Dam
Weather around Katada Dam
Accommodations that may be close to Katada Dam
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