Obara Dam


Obara Dam is a gravity dam located in Shimane Prefecture in Japan. The dam is used for flood control and water supply. The catchment area of the dam is 289 km2. The dam impounds about 230 ha of land when full and can store 60800 thousand cubic meters of water. The construction of the dam was started on 1987 and completed in 2010.

Innovative engineering

Underwater discharge system

To minimize noise and vibration during water release, Obara Dam employs Japan's first underwater discharge method for flood control, directing water into a stilling basin.

Selective siphon intake

The dam utilizes a pioneering continuous siphon intake system, allowing for water temperature regulation without traditional gates, thereby reducing maintenance and costs. It is the first dam in Japan to utilize this technique.