Ōi Dam

Ōi Dam
Official name	大井ダム
Location	Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Construction began	1922
Opening date	1924
Owner(s)	Kansai Electric Power Company
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity dam
Impounds	Agi River
Height	53.4 m
Length	275.8 m
Reservoir
Creates	Ena Gorge
Total capacity	29,400,000 m3
Catchment area	2,083.0 km2
Surface area	141 hectares

The Ōi Dam (大井ダム, Ōi Damu) is a dam located between the cities of Ena and Nakatsugawa in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It was built to produce electricity for the surrounding area. The Agi River flows through the dam.

Built in 1924, the Ōi Dam was the first dam built anywhere on the Kiso River system. It is also the first full-scale hydroelectric dam built in Japan. At 53.4 m (175.2 ft) tall, it is the largest gravity dam in Japan after the Taishakugawa Dam in Hiroshima Prefecture. In 1983, the New Ōi Dam (新大井ダム Shin-Ōi Damu) was built just downstream. Combined, they produce 80,000 kW of power.

History

The upper portions of the Kiso River have a strong flow in terms of speed and volume, making it an ideal location for hydroelectric dams. Interest in hydroelectric dams in Japan grew greatly in 1911 when a hydroelectric law was passed. Given the technologies of the time, though, building a dam along the Kiso River was too difficult because floods often occurred.

The introduction of hydroelectric power at Ōi Dam is considered the greatest lifetime achievement of businessman Momosuke Fukuzawa.

Surrounding area

The reservoir created by the dam was named Ena Gorge. More than 10 km (6 mi), the gorge is lined by rocky walls on both sides. Along with the lake created by the Maruyama Dam downstream, the area has been designated the Hida-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park.

Ōi Dam

External links

35°28′53″N 137°23′46″E