Date of interview: Saturday, March 31, 2012
We stopped by on our way to Otaki Dam, where a test discharge was being conducted. We headed upstream to the embankment, but it was impressive that we frequently passed dump trucks on the narrow lakeshore road, as it seemed that construction work was being done around the embankment.
Tsuburoko Park on the right bank
Not quite knowing where to park my car, I walked through the top edge and parked at a slightly wider spot on the right bank.
Niutsuburo Shrine on the right bank
There was a small shrine on the right bank. sworn goddess of defending her childseems to be the deity of the shrine.
Monument for the memorial service for fish spirits on the right bank
Lake Tsuburo is a fishing spot, where you can catch Herabuna, Bass, and Carp. Therefore, a cenotaph for the fish was erected.
Monument for the Memorial of Birds and Animals on the right bank
Is it also a hunting spot? There was also a cenotaph for birds and animals.
View of the embankment from the right bank
At this time, the right bank was under construction, but it looks like a place to store collected driftwood. The angled machine on the right looks like a crane pulling driftwood from the dam lake.
If possible, I would like to see the levee from the other side of the fence, but it is unavoidable because function is the priority.
View of the top edge from the right bank
It is a somewhat narrow topped road. It is good that the sidewalk is secured at one end. The concrete embankment is massive and solid. The impression is deepened by the rain.
View of the reduction works and downstream embankment from the right bank
The mossy bank is nice again. And downstream is a fairly large reduction pond. There is a sub-dam at the end of a 90° turn to the left.
View of Gate Pier from the top edge
The crest is equipped with four roller gates. At the far end is a water intake facility. The specifications are as follows
Name: Bottom intake gate
Type: Stainless steel slide gate
Diameter: Φ2.080m
Watertight system: 4-way metallic watertight seal on rear side (with auxiliary watertight rubber)
Number of gates: 1
Opening/closing speed: 0.3m/min
Opening/closing method: Electric rack type
Door weight: 3.4 tons
Completion date: July 2005
Production: Kurimoto Ironworks Co.
View of the crest gate from the top
The gate is red in color, which is unusual for an agricultural dam. The specifications are as follows (as indicated on the nameplate). The gate seems to have been newly replaced in the Heisei era.
Type: 2-leaf steel roller gate
Net diameter interval: 6.000 m
Door height: 4.220 m
Number of gates: 4
Opening/closing speed: 0.3m/min
Door weight: 9.0 tons per door
Date of production: March 1992
Production: Marushima Aqua System Co.
View of the dam lake from the top
As one of the largest dams in the prefecture, the dam lake is naturally quite large.
Anglers enjoying fishing at Lake Tsuburo
It was early in the morning, but several boats were already floating on the dammed lake.
View of the flow-conducting section and force-reducing structure from the top edge
This is a wide and deep reduction dam. There is a sub-dam at the end of the left turn, but it looks as if it does not exist because of its difficult-to-see location.
Elevator doors
The elevator is integrated with the water intake system and the gate pier structure, making it a rational construction. This kind of bellows-type door is strangely attractive.
View of boats on the dam lake from the top edge
There is a store on the left bank, which is directly connected to the boat launch.
View of the dam site and management office from the left bank
There is a management office on the left bank. I don't remember much about those days, but I guess the rain must have made it too wet to do anything else.
View of the top edge from the left bank
As mentioned above, the top end is open to automobile traffic, but some large vehicles are also allowed.
View of the levee downstream from the left bank
The mossy look is very nice. It appears to curve rather than straighten from the downstream to the top edge.
View of the entrance to the auditorium and stairs from the left bank
The Hatsune Miku-colored staircase looks somewhat floating compared to the mossy feel of the embankment.
Community Center Tsuburo" on the left bank
There is a building on the left bank called "Community Center Tsuburo," but we do not know what it is used for. We do not know if it is usually open.
View of the embankment on the lake side from the left bank
I think there is something in the foreground that is different from the float for management use, but I wonder what it is. I think it is for fishing.
View of the levee from downstream
The path downstream was a bit difficult to find, but we managed to find it and get there. The moment the embankment came into view, I couldn't help but marvel at it.
View of the crest gate from downstream
Here is a close-up of the gate area; the four bright red gates are very impressive.
View of Crest Gate from downstream (zoom in)
Here is a further close-up. It's a beautiful red color.
The weather was unfavorable, but there were still a good number of anglers, which reminded me that this is indeed one of the best fishing meccas in Nara Prefecture. The embankment has a stately appearance, and it is hard to forget how powerful it looks from downstream. Be sure to visit the Otaki Dam and the other dams as a set.
Tsuburo Dam Specifications
| Location | Kawaraya, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara |
| River Name | Kino River system Tsuburo River |
| Objective | A (irrigation water), W (water for water supply) |
| Model | G(gravity-fed concrete dam) |
| Bank height | 54.3m |
| Bank length | 240m |
| Dam volume | 222,000m3 |
| Watershed Area | 38.8 km2 |
| Reservoir area | 150 ha |
| Total storage capacity | 25,650,000m3 |
| Effective water storage capacity | 24,600,000m3 |
| Dam operator | Kinki Agricultural Administration Bureau |
| Main body constructor | Taisei Corporation |
| Year of launch | 1952 |
| Year Completed | 1962 |
| Name of Dam Lake | Lake Tsuburo |
Map of Tsuburo Dam
Other facilities/observations
| Parking lot | ○ |
| Toilet | ○ |
| Park | × |
| PR Exhibition Hall | × |
| Fishing | ○ |
Accommodations that may be close to Tsuburo Dam
Comment