Shizunai River


Shizunai River is a river in Shinhidaka, Hokkaidō, Japan. The Shizunai River drains from the Hidaka Mountains into the Pacific Ocean.

Etymology

The Shizunai River was known as Shibuchari and Shibechari. This name was derived from Shipe-ichan, meaning "a salmon spawning place" in Ainu.
The name Shizunai is derived from the Ainu language and has three possible sources:Shiputnai – A marsh at the origin of the Ainu.Shuttonai – A marsh with many grapes.Shutnai – A river at the foot of a mountain.

Course

The Shizunai River flows generally southwest from its headwaters in the Hidaka mountains at the confluence of the Koikakushushibichari and Koibokushushibichari rivers. It flows into Lake Takami, a reservoir created by the Takami Dam. Past the dam, the Shizunai river flows into Shizunai Flood Control Reservoir. Past the Shizunai Dam, the river encounters Futa Dam before leaving the mountains for the flood plain. The river flows past the outlying communities of Shizunai before entering the Pacific Ocean just northwest of Shizunai harbor.

Natural history

The Shizunai River was designated as a wildlife protection area in 1965. Whooper swans overwinter on the Shizunai River.

History

The Shizunai River basin was the home of the Ainu leader who led Shakushain's revolt against the Shogunate-era Yamato people, especially the Matsumae clan, in the 1660s. In the Edo period the region was used for gold mining.

Lists

List of bridges and dams

From river mouth to source:
  • Shizunai Bridge
  • Rubeshibe Bridge
  • Misono Bridge
  • Futa Dam
  • Shizunai Dam
  • Menashi River Bridge
  • Takami Dam
  • Takami Bridge
  • Ibetsu Bridge

List of (named) tributaries

From river mouth to source:
  1. Left — Hidaka Mena River
  2. Right — Perari River
  3. Left — Mount Sumi River charcoal or coal mountain river
  4. Left — Shunbetsu River
  5. Right — Poyoppusawa River
  6. Right — Pisenaisawa River
  7. Left — Penkeonikemushi River
  8. Left — Ponpanbetsu Creek
  9. Left — Penkebetsusawa River
  10. Left — Porokaunnai River
  11. Right — Ibetsusawa River
  12. Right — Abeunnai River
  13. Confluence Left — Koibokushuchchari, Right — Koikakushuppichari