River System Sabo – International SABO Network

A river having its head stream in a devastated mountain is prone to the aggradation of a riverbed due to the deposit of sediments flowing from the mountain, thereby causing floods and damages through the entire river basin. In such a river it is necessary to control sediment runoff from the upper stream and prevent extreme changes in the height of the downstream riverbed (Fig. 1). Sabo works for such purpose is called “River System Sabo”

Collapsed Land Areas in Japan

Mt. Tonbi collapsed in the earthquake in 1858 and produced a large amount of sediment (Toyama Prefecture).

Collapse on Mt. Hieda in the Hime River System (Nagano Prefecture)

Sabo Works on Mt. Tateyama Protecting the Toyama Plain

Tateyama caldera and its surrounding areas in the upstream of Joganji River were notorious as one of the most devastated area in Japan. The sabo works in the upstream of Joganji River was performed with the intention of decreasing sediment flowing out of these areas and protecting the Toyama Plain from floods caused by riverbed aggradation in the downstream.

Fig1.

Fig. 1) A sabo dam prevents riverbed erosion, hillside landslide and a large amount of sediment flow at a time by accumulating sediment in it.

Fig. 2

Joganji River is at such a high altitude at a 10km-point from its river mouth that Toyama City can be viewed down below from that point. On top of this, Joganji River is a raised bed river.

Fig.2) Joganji River is at such a high altitude at a 10kmpoint from its river mouth located on the alluvial fan in the Toyama Plain that Toyama City can be viewed down below from that point. On top of this, Joganji River is a raised bed river. A raised bed river is a river whose riverbed is raised above the surrounding ground due to sediment deposit inside the river banks. A large amount of sediment flow from the upstream has raised the riverbed of Joganji River above the ground over a long period. Once it floods, it may cause a severe disaster.