Lake Inawashiro

Lake Inawashiro (猪苗代湖, Inawashiro-ko) is the fourth-largest lake in Japan,[1] located in central Fukushima Prefecture, south of Mount Bandai. It is also known as the 'Heavenly Mirror Lake' (天鏡湖, Tenkyōko). The lake is located within the borders of Bandai-Asahi National Park. It is a surface area of 104 square kilometres (40 sq mi), circumference of 63 kilometres (39 mi), depth of 94 metres (308 ft) and is located at an altitude of 514 metres (1,686 ft).[2] In winter swans migrate to the beaches of the lake and stay there until spring.

Lake Inawashiro
猪苗代湖
A view from the top of Mt.Bandai
Location of Lake Inawashiro in Japan.
Location of Lake Inawashiro in Japan.
Lake Inawashiro
猪苗代湖
LocationFukushima Prefecture
Coordinates37°28′29″N 140°05′37″E
Typetectonic lake
Primary outflowsNippashi River
Basin countriesJapan
Surface area103.3 km2 (39.9 sq mi)
Average depth51.5 m (169 ft)
Max. depth94.6 m (310 ft)
Water volume5.40 km3 (4,380,000 acre⋅ft)
Shore length149 km (30 mi)
Surface elevation514 m (1,686 ft)
IslandsOkinajima
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

History

Lake Inawashiro was formed some 30–40,000 years ago when a tectonic depression was dammed by a major eruption and pyroclastic flow from Mount Bandai. The water is acidic with a pH value of approximately 5.0, and has a high degree of transparency. The water level was considerably less during the Jōmon period as numerous artifacts and ceramic fragments have been found offshore.

The lake water is an important source for irrigation in the Aizu region of western Fukushima Prefecture. An irrigation canal was completed during the Edo period and another, the Asaka Canal, in 1882. A third canal completed in 1915 supplies the city of Kōriyama with drinking and industrial water. The water also supplies a number of hydroelectric power plants. The lake is also an important tourist and leisure attraction in Fukushima Prefecture.

Notes
  1. Takeda T., page 174.
  2. Campbell, Allen; Nobel, David S (1993). Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Kodansha. p. 598. ISBN 406205938X.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lake Inawashiro.
  • Takeda, Toru; Hishinuma, Tomio; Kamieda, Kinuyo; Dale, Leigh; Oguma, Chiyoichi (August 10, 1988), Hello! Fukushima - International Exchange Guide Book (1988 ed.), Fukushima City: Fukushima Mimpo Press
  • World Lake Database

See also


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