A thrill for enthusiasts! Learn about infrastructure at Kamafusa Dam while enjoying nature!

From central Sendai, take National Route 286 towards Akiu-Kawasaki.
Near the border between Sendai City and Kawasaki Town lies the beautiful Kamabusa Lake.
The Kamabusa Dam, which we'll introduce here, is a concrete dam that supplies water from this lake to Sendai and other cities.
In recent years, the Kamabusa Dam has begun to attract attention as a tourist spot.
Let's take a look at its highlights.

What kind of dam is Kamafusa Dam?

The Kamabusa Dam collects water from the Taro River, Kitagawa River, and Maekawa River upstream of Lake Kamabusa, and provides a stable water supply to downstream areas, including Sendai. The
supplied water is used for a wide range of purposes, including drinking water, agricultural water, and industrial water, and the hydroelectric power generated using the water released from the dam provides electricity to the surrounding areas.

It also plays a role in flood control, and on July 11, 2002, it controlled the inflow of water by opening and closing the gates, which could reach a maximum of 917.6 kiloliters per second,
protecting downstream areas from flooding.

The Kamabusa Dam, which also supplies tap water, places great emphasis on water quality preservation.
This is achieved through a diffused aeration circulation system.
This device releases bubbles from the bottom of the lake, bringing up the cold water from the depths and preventing the temperature near the surface from rising.
Since plankton can proliferate near the surface if the temperature rises, aeration helps to lower the water temperature.

Dams as educational facilities

Within the grounds of the Kamabusa Dam, there is also a museum for disaster prevention education.
Here, there are exhibits explaining the overview and role of the dam, and local elementary school students participate in hands-on learning activities.
Junior high school students also participate in work experience programs at the management center. The museum, which includes sections
on the history of the Kamabusa Dam, aerial photographs of the surrounding area, and introductions to the flora, fauna, and aquatic animals that inhabit the area, is enjoyable for adults as well.

Recently, it has become part of infrastructure tourism, a tour that involves seeing various types of infrastructure, and it is possible to tour the dam while receiving an explanation about it

Highlights of Kamafusa Dam

・Beautiful nature

One of the attractions of Kamafusa Dam is the beautiful scenery that surrounds it
The view from the museum's observation deck is so beautiful that you'll want to capture it on camera no matter where you look
As they are particular about preserving the water quality, the sparkling surface of the lake is indescribable
You can also look through the free telescopes provided to observe the sparkling lake surface

・Bubbles erupting on the lake surface

The aeration circulation system mentioned earlier is actually a device rarely seen in dams.
circulation systems typically involve spraying water like a fountain.
However, in the case of the Kamabusa Dam's aeration circulation system, when the device is operating, you'll see bubbles rising to the water's surface.
This circulation system is rare even in the Tohoku region, and among Miyagi Prefecture's national dams, it's a sight you can only see at the Kamabusa Dam.
If you're lucky enough to see the device operating, be sure to take a look!

・Once a year, we visit the inspection gallery

At Kamabusa Dam, an event is held once a year where visitors can tour the inspection gallery.
Since Kamabusa Dam is not developed as a tourist dam, this is a very valuable opportunity to experience the raw atmosphere of the site.
This event, held every July, also includes a tour of the lake on a patrol boat, so please visit if you have the chance.

・Dam cards, dam curry

Are you familiar with dam cards distributed at dams across Japan?
Dam cards were distributed during an event called "Forest and Lake Appreciation Week" held in 2007.
In Miyagi Prefecture, only three dams have cards with a unified design nationwide: Kamabusa Dam, Shichikashuku Dam, and Naruko Dam.
As of October 2017, some are still available, so ask the staff at the dam museums!

Additionally, restaurants in the surrounding area serve dam curry inspired by Kamafusa Dam

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Among them, Kamoshika Chaya's Kamafusa Dam Curry is an elaborate dish in which the condiments and curry sauce are stored in a dam-shaped ceramic container, so why not stop by on your way back from Kamafusa Dam?

INFORMATION

Chimon

A balding writer who loves travel and laughter.
A nice guy who hides his thinning hair by shaving his head!
He travels north and south to bring smiles to Tohoku through his writing!

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