."Season for Familiarization with Forests and LakesThe term "dam festival" refers to the period (from July 21 to 31 every year) initiated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Forestry Agency, and the Japan Water Agency as part of their educational activities to promote awareness of dams, dam lakes, water sources, etc.
During this period, various events will be held at each dam.
For some reason I had no luck attending this event and could not go every year due to work.
However, in 2009, dam enthusiasts from all over the country will gather especially for the event. There was no reason not to go to this. I decided to take a day off and go on short notice.
At Yokoyama Dam, photo panels by enthusiasts were on display. In case you were wondering, my photos were also on display, but everyone's photos were overwhelmingly better than mine!
So, this article reports on a tour inside the dike of the Yokoyama Dam.
>>Please also see the article on Yokoyama Dam.
>>1096-Yokoyama Dam
View of the levee from the corridor of the control center
I am first excited to see this angle for the first time!
Unfortunately, it was raining heavily from time to time, but the rain-soaked embankment was not too bad.
View of the dike from the entrance of the control center
The dense vegetation reminded me of summer. It was hot and humid with rain.
Elevator leading into the dike
Finally, we enter the dike.
View of the power plant downstream from the elevator landing
From the elevator landing, the power plant and hydraulic iron pipes can be clearly seen in their entirety.
View of the flood discharge from the elevator landing
The angles that cannot usually be seen can be seen properly on this day.
View downstream from the elevator landing
You can see the Ibigawa River. The color of the water is dark green when you reach here.
View of the gate hoisting room from the elevator landing
This angle is also not usually seen.
View of the gate from inside the dike
After exiting the elevator, the first thing one sees is this large gate. Light leaks through the gaps in the gate, accentuating the bright red color of the gate.
dormer window
This hole is a light.
Flood discharge slit
It would have been thrilling to have released the fish.
Steep stairs
The stairs leading to the lower level of the embankment were very steep. Perhaps because of this, there were several layers of fences to prevent falls.
corridor connecting an annex to a pond-side building (in traditional palatial-style architecture)
This is an audit corridor that is very typical of a hollow gravity dam. However, because of the fluorescent lighting, it seems brighter than the Igawa Dam (1162-Igawa Dam/Ikawadamu).
Ceiling?
It was the same with the Igawa Dam, but when I took the picture, of course I knew what was up and down, but when I got home, I couldn't tell what I had photographed. I don't know if this picture was taken on the ceiling or what...
View down Fantasy Hall from the auditorium
Further in, we came to the top of the largest cavity in the Yokoyama Dam, called the "Fantasy Hall". During the "Friendship with Forest and Lake Season," various events are held here, such as musical instruments being played.
View of steep staircase from downstairs
Further down the stairs leading to its fantasy hall. It is also steep, and there are many steps. Everyone is descending carefully.
View of the bridge above from downstairs
An audit corridor penetrates between the cavities in the form of a bridge, which can be seen from above or below the floor. It is quite high when seen in this way.
Inside Fantasy Hall
Now, I came out to the Fantasy Hall. There are plastic sheets hanging from the ceiling above, and it looks like the inside of a circus tent. Someone else also described it that way. The lighting is so bright and colorful that it is hard to believe that it is inside the dam's embankment. In addition, a situation in which a cyclist crosses a rope stretched in the sky is created by a puppet. Does it actually move?
Ryu-kun, aka Prince Dam, acting strangely at Fantasy Hall
The handsome Ryu-kun, who was at the event, was taking pictures from various angles, and the people at the dam management office in the back of the room looked on with a curious smile.
View of the gate from just below the dike
The Fantasy Hall is connected directly under the embankment, allowing visitors to go directly outside. Unfortunately, the weather is not ideal, but even so, the Yokoyama Dam has a good flavor.
View of hydraulic pipes from just below the dike
As one would expect, the sheer size of the hydraulic pipes when seen up close is astonishing.
Entrance and Exit of Fantasy Hall
The entrance and exit of the Fantasy Hall is painted "Shine Okuibi Fantasy Hall". It was painted a long time ago or looks a bit old.
Looking up at the old and new control center from just below the dike
Looking up in the sky, you can see the new administration center on the right and the old one on the left. From here, the old administration center looks like a tower. I heard that it is scheduled to be demolished and will eventually disappear, but I felt it was a waste.
hydraulic iron pipe
Back inside the dike, the hydraulic pipes that were outside can be seen here as well. It is a little dark and hard to see... From this point on, we were guided to various places inside the dike.
corridor connecting an annex to a pond-side building (in traditional palatial-style architecture)
Compared to the first audit corridor, it is darker and the orange sodium lamps give it another nice flavor.
Looking downstairs from the sky above
I don't know where I am walking anymore, but I am caught in a strange sensation. The atmosphere is different from that of the Igawa Dam.
Like the inside of a pyramid...
I think it is part of a certain section of the hollow, but it already looks like the interior of a pyramid. Not that I have ever seen the inside of a pyramid, but.... It looks like a mummy or something.
Inside the intricate embankment
There are many pathways here and there, and it is hard to see where they go.
Mystery hole
There is a mysterious hole in the back, which was originally part of the audit corridor. Incidentally, they don't give visitors much of a tour here, but we were given special permission to enter.
Front view of the entrance and exit of the mysterious hole
The rounded shape makes me wonder if it was not part of the audit corridor but a waterway. The shape of the corridor is rounded, which makes one wonder if it was not part of an audit corridor but a waterway.
Inside the Mystery Hole
The height was a little higher than the height of one adult. There was a pool of water underneath, so I had to step over it while wearing sandals.
pump
This is the pump that was visible from the sky earlier. This pump discharges leaked water to the outside.
Looking up at the top from the bottom
When you reach the lowest level, this is another strange sensation.
laying a cornerstone (foundation stone)
Fixed foundation inside the dike. I almost missed it because it was dark.
elevator
Now it's time to get back on the ground.
Elevator No. 2
I have to say goodbye now.
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