Definition of Technical Term
Debris Flow
Part of soil, stone and gravel making up a hillside and river bed is intermingled with water from long-continuing or localized rainfall, becomes slushy like porridge and is carried downstream at a dash. The flow is called a "debris flow".
The debris flow that occurred at Kamikamihori valley in Mt.Yakedake (August 3, 1976)
The debris flow that occurred in the Nojiri river in Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture (July 2-3, 1985)
Debris flow disasters occar frequently in recent years
Debris flow disaster occurred under the influence of the Bai-u front along Yamatetani river in Matsuyama City (June 20, 2001)
The debris flow flowing, involving woody debris, down the Aratani River at Saeki Ward.
Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture (June, 1999).
A debris flow caused by a torrential rainfall in Nishi-machi, Kochi City (September 25, 1998)
Preventive measures against debris flows
Sabo dam as preventive measures against debris flows
Sabo dams built in the upstream areas of mountain streams accumulate sediment and suppress production and flow of sediment. Those built at the exits of valleys work as a direct barrier to a debris flow which has occurred. A sabo dam with slits is particularly effective in capturing a debris flow because it has a larger capacity of sand pool under normal conditions. In case that there is a fear of flow-down of driftwood, a slit sabo dam is built as a preventive measure.
Function of slit type sabo dam
(1)The dam allows sediment to flow downstream under normal conditions. areas.
(2)When a large scale debris flow occurs, sediment is captured and temporarily held here to prevent disasters in downstream