There have been a lot of disaster by debris flow throughout Japan in recent

years. The disasters related to debris flow have also occurred repeatedly in our
prefecture.
Sabo works are construction of sabo dam, which collects and deposits
sediments, and groundsel and revetment works which prevents eroding river
bed and bank and fixs mountains.
In our prefecture, sabo work, which was based on Sabo Law, was started at
1908 (Meiji 41). The recent Sabo works consider the environment of moutain
stream.

Before the occurrence of

debris flow

Debris flow has occurred

Sabo dam prevents debris floe behind a residential

section (Nakanotani Sabo dam, Susami Town)

Revetment works which considered surrounding

environment (River Daiya sabo works for environmental
maintenance, Negoro temple, Iwade-cho)

The sediment related disaster of Higashinokawa at

Kumanogawa Town

The Sabo dam of Fudotanigawa

If there is not sabo dam, a

lot of sediments will flow
quickly to a lower stream of
a river.

Construction of sabo dam

contributes to be gentle
channel gradient, resulting
in less hillside landslide of
river bank.

In the case of sediments are

discharged by heavy rainfall,
sabo dam holds large
sediments temporally.

Temporal depositions of
excessive sediments flow to
lower stream gradually. As a
result, the initial
condition"2"is obtained.

Introduction of Sabo Works

| Introduction of Sabo Works | Debris flow Control -Sabo Works- |

| Landslide Control-Landslide Control Works |
| Cliff collapse control -Slope failure control works- | Measures for the weak against disaster |
| Non-structural ("soft") measure |

Copyright (C) 2002 Wakayama Pref. All Rights Reserved.

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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