Distribution and location characteristics of flood-control reservoir in Japan.

Abstract

Nationwide information on the area, location, and utilization of the flood-control reservoirs throughout Japan was collected by literature and web surveys for building database including 143 facilities. Furthermore, this study discussed whether the location characteristics of the flood-control reservoirs contribute to conserve original wetland ecosystem or not. The number of the facilities was the largest in Saitama prefecture, 37 facilities. Most of the flood-control reservoirs were located at plain, old river channel, or back marsh in geological types. It was revealed that 64 facilities is used as urban park, 31 facilities as sports ground, 17 facilities as paddy field, and 91 facilities as other or vacant areas (water surface or grass land). Eighty-eight percent of the facilities examined included a nature observation area, paddy field, or vacant areas, suggesting that they could contribute to the conservation of wetland ecosystems.