Kusaki Dam [Midori City, Gunma Prefecture G] | A massive concrete dam with a 140m height and striking water-resource blue
《Dam Overview》
Kusaki Dam is a gravity concrete dam located on the Watarase River in the Tone River system, situated in Zama, Azuma-cho, Midori City, Gunma Prefecture, serving purposes of irrigation, flood control, industrial water, river maintenance, power generation, and municipal water supply.
Its former name was Kobe Dam, but it was renamed Kusaki Dam at the request of local residents, and it is now cherished along with Lake Kusaki and the scenery along National Route 122.
With a massive 140m-high dam body, blue radial gates, penstocks, and a cluster of power plants directly below, it is a structure that strongly retains the impact of a large-scale multi-purpose dam typical of the Japan Water Agency.
Below, I will record what I was able to see,
as always.
《Simple Specs》
Location: Zama, Azuma-cho, Midori City, Gunma Prefecture
River: Watarase River, Tone River system
Start/Completion: 1965/1976
Purpose: A/Irrigation, F/Flood control, I/Industrial water, N/River maintenance, P/Power generation, W/Municipal water supply
Type: G/Gravity concrete
Dam Height/Crest Length: 140m/405m
Water Storage Capacity: Total 60,500,000 m3 / Effective 50,500,000 m3
《On-site Notes》
There are multiple parking lots and restrooms around the dam, making it an easy environment for sightseeing.
You can also move to the front of the dam to check the orifice gates, penstocks, and the area around the power plant from a close distance.
The crest can be crossed on foot, but the sidewalk is narrow, so caution is required when passing.
Dam cards are distributed at the Kusaki Dam Management Office.
Since National Route 122 runs along Lake Kusaki, there is a lot of car and motorcycle traffic.
I have never come here at the dead of night when even the grass and trees are sleeping.
▶Surrounding Area Map
As someone who is prone to needing a restroom, this is a reassuring design.
▶Moving to the bottom of Kusaki Dam
The junction to the Azuma Power Plant (No. 1) and the Azuma No. 2 Power Plant
The dam nose (deflector) is held high.
It performs discharge up to a maximum of 640 m3 per second.
It seems water is being sent to the power plant located directly below.
The window on the door looks a bit sad (´・ω・`).
It is believed to be the remains of the temporary drainage tunnel.
It looks as if it is sandwiched between the dam and the cliff.
Kusaki Dam offers scenery that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons.
▶ Move to the dam management office side
The sidewalk is narrow, so please be careful when passing.
It still retains a bit of a Showa-era tourist destination feel.
making it popular as a touring route.
*This article is a repost of a 2024 article, reorganized with additional photos.
3 Highlights of Kusaki Dam
1. The Water Resources Agency blue gates that stand out against the 140m-high dam body
2. The silhouette of Kusaki Dam defined by two orifice gates with deflectors
3. The overlap of the penstocks extending from the dam body with the Higashi and Higashi No. 2 power stations
▶ Yagisawa Dam, also managed by the Water Resources Agency
▷ List of visited dams in Gunma Prefecture
▷ For those reading this dam blog for the first time
▷ List of dam types | Gravity, Rock-fill, Earth, etc.
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