Date of interview: Sunday, February 3, 2013
After visiting the Yasu River Dam and Zao Dam (Shiga), where all dam enthusiasts were discharging water, we headed to an earth dam called Nikeitamen.
I had tried to visit this dam once, but gave up when I tried to approach it from the ruins of Otowa Castle on the west side. We heard that we could reach it by approaching from the north, so we visited with everyone.
Parking for now
We are allowed to park by the side of the shrine and move on foot.
Crossing the bridge over the Hino River
First, cross the bridge over the Hino River.
walk through the countryside
The season was winter, but if you came in another season, you would have experienced a different atmosphere.
Animal damage prevention fence
As is the case with the Yasu River Dam, it is said that as long as the animal damage prevention fence is not left open, you may enter. Of course, this assumes that the fence is not marked "No Trespassing.
After animal damage prevention fence
The road to the dike continues like this for a while.
View of the top edge from the right bank
We have arrived at the dike. The sun has completely set.
View of the flood discharge from the bridge over the flood discharge
The type you often see in earth dams.Flood discharge(Residual water discharge).
Nikei Tame Explanatory Signboard
This is a tourist sign set up by local residents. According to this sign, Nikei Tame was originally planned to be named "Hoden Pond. It seems that a trolley was first used in this area when the embankment was built.
The reservoir was completed in November 1922 at a cost of 364,000 yen over a six-year construction period.(shrine) sanctuaryThe pond was named "Nikei Pond," but since the Nikei Arable Land Consolidation Association was the main contractor, the name "Nikei Tame" became the common name for the Nikei Association's tame pond. The surface area is over 4 ha. From Otowavery fertile rice fieldThe water was to be used for agriculture in an area of about 30 ha along the Izumo River coastline up to the "Kozu" River. The first trolley for transporting earth and sand was used for this embankment construction in the Hinode area, and it was a hot topic of conversation. The shrine in the pond is the Great Benzaiten Shrine.
From the local nameplate
Hino Tourist Association, Nishioji Community Center
View of the upstream face of the embankment from the right bank
It is a high point to see the embankment from a pretty good angle.
Looking downstream from the bridge over the flood discharge
It is a chute section, which is nothing special. I think it joins the Hino River as it is, but it has not been confirmed yet.
View of the flood discharge from the levee
As the construction is quite old, it must have undergone several renovation works. This flood discharge may have had a different shape in the past.
shrine on the edge of heaven
A shrine is enshrined at the top end. Is it a water god?
View of the downstream face of the levee from the shrine
The grass is neatly mowed. It is a sign of being cherished by the local community.
View downstream from the top
The fields of the beneficiary area can be seen over there. It is exciting to think that the water stored here is being used there.
Slant-flume intake system
The water intake facility is located near the center of the dike. The water taken in here is discharged downstream through a conduit.
Downstream view of the levee from the left bank
We have reached the left bank. The dam looks quite large in this way.
View of the top edge from the left bank
I think this photo shows the feeling of damming up the water.
Stone monument at Hoden Pond Great Benzaiten Far Worshiping Place
There seems to be a shrine of the Great Benzaiten Shrine in the backwater. It seems to be accessible from the right side, but it is inevitable that you will have to go through some bushwhackers. There is a forest road on the south side, from which you can also access the Daibenzaiten Shrine.
Around the Great Benzaiten Shrine
Although it is surrounded by forest and not visible, the Great Benzaiten Shrine appears to be on the left. Part of the torii gate is visible submerged on the right.
Road to Otowa Castle Ruins
It was such a blockage from the ruins of Otowa Castle. It seems as if we could get there if we tried hard enough, but...
Approach to just below the levee
We will take a different route to just below the levee once we go north.
Approach to just below the levee (Part 2)
The path continues. The waterway on the left is water that flows from the intake system, etc.
Approach to just below the levee (Part 3)
Sorry for the noise as it is getting very dark. Is that a sensor placed on the small bridge?
Arrival just below the dike
Water from the intake system comes from the right, and there is a chute in front of it, but it was not clear for a moment whether this was coming from the flood discharge.
View of the downstream face of the dike from just below
It was now completely dark, but we were finally able to capture the downstream face of the levee. The downstream side was also well weeded, making it easier to visit.
It was fun to visit the dam together, and it was very reassuring because it was a dam that I did not know how to approach. I hope this article will be helpful to those who, like me, do not know how to get there.
Nikei Tame Various
The dam handbook gives the start date as 1926 and the completion date as 1944, but local signage gives the dates as 1922/1928.
Location | Otowa, Hino-cho, Gamo-gun, Shiga |
River Name | Yodo River System |
Objective | A (irrigation water) |
Model | E(earth dam) |
Bank height | 21m |
Bank length | 130m |
Dam volume | 126,000m3 |
Watershed Area | 0.5km2 |
Reservoir area | 4 ha |
Total storage capacity | 382,000m3 |
Effective water storage capacity | 382,000m3 |
Dam operator | Hino River Basin Land Improvement District |
Main body constructor | - |
Year of launch | 1922. |
Year Completed | 1928. |
Name of Dam Lake | - |
Other facilities/observations
If you are approaching from the Otowa castle ruins, the parking lot and park may be a good place to ○. I think the restrooms were also located at the castle ruins.
Parking lot | × |
Toilet | × |
Park | × |
PR Exhibition Hall | × |
Fishing | ○? |
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