1012-reading dam/reading kadamu

Location: Katsuizaka, Oaza Nojiri, Okuwa-mura, Kiso-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Date of interview：2011/01/27 (Thursday)

View of the embankment from the left bank

This is the first appearance of a dam in Nagano Prefecture in a long time. I had not known of the existence of this dam on the main stream of the Kiso River for a long time, and even though I often pass by on National Route 19, I did not know how to approach the dam from the national highway, so I left it half-neglected. We visited the dam for the publication of a photogravure of Dam Nippon.

Now, this dam. In a sense, it is an obfuscated dam. At a quick glance, you might read it as "dokusho," but "yomikaki" is the correct answer.

Moving a little downstream, we can see the embankment from the left bank.

Yomisho Dam is owned by Kansai Electric Power Company. Momosuke was not directly involved in the construction of Yomisho Dam, but he was involved in the Yomisho Power Station, which was probably a canal-type power station at that time. It is also a dam that is slightly related to Momosuke Fukuzawa, the king of electric power, whom I respect, originally during the Daido Power Company era.

The Yomiuri Power Plant building retains its original atmosphere, and there are also many other points of interest in the surrounding area, such as the Kakikoshi Suido Bridge and the Momosuke Bridge, which was built to transport materials during the construction of the power plant. Photos of those facilities are shown below (no photos of the power plant are available).

The facilities in the Yomiuri Power Station area, including the main power station building, Kakinokishimizu Bridge, and Momosuke Bridge, have been designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

Momosuke Fukuzawa Memorial Hall (Former Momosuke Fukuzawa Villa)

This is the villa where Momosuke lived during the construction of the Yomiuri Power Plant. Momosuke and his mistress Sadayakko Kawakami stayed there frequently until 1924, when the Oi Power Plant was completed. The second floor was destroyed by fire in 1960, but it was restored to its current appearance in 1997.

Open: Mid-March to end of November (9:30-16:30)
Closed: Wednesdays, Winter (Dec. 1 to mid-March)
Admission: 300 yen for adults (150 yen for junior high school students, free for elementary school students and younger) when combined with the Mountain History Museum
TEL: 0264-57-4166

bridge designed to be underwater during a flood

This bridge was built for transporting materials during the construction of the Yomiuri Power Plant, located near the Momosuke Fukuzawa Memorial Museum (former Momosuke Fukuzawa Villa).

Kaki其水路橋

This Kakizore Suirokyo (柿其水路橋) is used as a conduit to the Yomiuri Power Plant. It is a very modern-looking aqueduct.

View of the water intake from the left bank

I wonder if the water taken here will go through the Kaki其水路橋?

Roller gate at the water intake on the right bank

We are now on the right bank. The dam area is off-limits to all but authorized personnel, and the top of the dam is also inaccessible, so we had to go around to the bridge upstream. The roller gate is a so-called "KEPCO black" gate, which is typical of KEPCO.

topside worker

There was construction work going on that day. I don't know what the construction was because I missed the construction sign, but there were many workers.

Roller gate at the right bank dam site

Hmmm... I want to go inside... lol

View of the embankment on the lake side from the right bank

This is the limit on the dam lake side as well. If you are careless, you may fall into the dam lake, so please be careful when visiting.

Zoom in on the embankment on the lake side from the right bank

There appear to be five crest gates.

Reading Dam Management Station

There were many workers on the day, so there were many signs of people, but I wonder if it is actually an unmanned operation.

View of the dam lake from the right bank

I hope you can feel a little more of Momosuke's breath....

Reading Dam Dimensions

Other facilities/observations

Accommodations that may be close to the Reading Dam