Location: Sakuma, Sakuma-cho, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japanright bank (shore)Aichi Prefecture]
>>Sakuma Dam Off-line Meeting (January 25, 2004)
>Click here for a photo of Sakuma Dam at the time of construction.
View of the levee (downstream side) from the left bank
This is a very famous dam. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest dam in Japan and generated the largest amount of electricity, and was even featured on a postage stamp. However, the road on the way to the dam site was rough and bumpy, and of course the tunnel leaked badly.
View of the gate from the top
You can walk on the top edge, but the railing or wall is so thick that it is extremely difficult to look down from the top edge. You can barely see near the gate, but as you can see, it is impossible to look directly down. The gate is also very thick!
View of the dam lake from the embankment
The water in the dam lake is so muddy that it looks like a big river in China. Speaking of which, Sakuma Dam seems to have a bad sediment problem, and they are experimenting with a special method of dredging.... Well, the dam is getting old, and at this rate, it may be only a matter of time before it loses its function as a dam.
View of the water intake from the dike
The design of the water intake is also retro. The Sakuma Dam was completed in three years, instead of 10 years, using used large construction equipment imported from the United States. This was also the first of its kind in Japan.
View of the embankment (lake side) from the left bank
dam characteristics
| Model | gravity-fed concrete dam |
|---|---|
| Objective | generation (e.g. power) |
| Bank height | 155.5m |
| Bank length | 293.5m |
| Dam volume | 1,120,000m3 |
| Watershed Area | 4156.5 km2 |
| Reservoir area | 715 ha |
| Total storage capacity | 326,848,000m3 |
| Effective water storage capacity | 205,444,000m3 |
| Name of Dam Lake | Lake Sakuma |
| River Name | Tenryu River System Tenryu River |
| Year of launch | 1953. |
| Year Completed | 1956 |
Other facilities/observations
As one would expect from a dam that has set a Guinness World Record, the facilities are well equipped. There were many tourists, and I was planning to visit the PR exhibition hall, but unfortunately the closing time came at the same time as my arrival, so I was unable to cover the event.... I would like to do so again when I have a chance.
| Parking lot | ○ |
|---|---|
| Toilet | ○ |
| Park | ○ |
| PR Exhibition Hall | ○ |
Comment
[...] 3/30: Funaki Dam, Akiba Dam, Sakuma Dam. Weather cloudy. This was a photo shoot for a wedding reception. [...].