Shimouke Dam

Overview

Shimouke Dam is a 98.0-metre-high arch concrete dam built on the Tsunoe River, part of the Chikugo River system, straddling the border between Hita in Ōita Prefecture and Oguni in Kumamoto Prefecture. Managed as a specified multipurpose dam by the Kyushu Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, it serves flood control, water supply for Hita, and hydroelectric power. The dam was completed in 1972.

Highlights

• ●The 98.0-metre-high arch concrete dam structure
• ●Lake Hachinosu, the reservoir formed by the dam
• ●A water-conveyance tunnel linking it with the Kikuchi River system
• ●The Amagase–Aso prefectural road running across the dam crest

History

The dam was planned as part of the Chikugo River flood-control master plan after the West Japan flood of June 1953. It was built as a specified multipurpose dam at the same time as the downstream Matsubara Dam and was completed in 1972. The site is known for the Hachinosu-jō dispute, one of Japan's largest anti-dam movements, after which the reservoir was named.

Map

33.1600, 130.9844 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1View the scale of the arch concrete dam from a point overlooking the structure
2. 2Look out over the water and surrounding mountains from the shore of Lake Hachinosu
3. 3Take in the local terrain from the Amagase–Aso road crossing the crest
4. 4Trace the Chikugo flood-control scheme together with the downstream Matsubara Dam

Did you know?

💡 The reservoir, Lake Hachinosu, was named after the Hachinosu-jō dispute, the anti-dam movement that unfolded during construction.

Nearby spots