Misogawa Dam is a rockfill dam located close to the deep upstream end of Kiso River with an elevation of 1,130m and Okugiso Lake has 1.4 km² in area. Every year the upper part of the lake surface is frozen. But usually due to the wind blowing over the lake surface, it ruffles and tends to prevent ice formation. So it is rather a rare case that the entire lake surface is covered with ice. There were only 3 times the entire lake was covered with ice in the past 22 years of dam management history. The total ice coverage will be our fourth record.

By the end of this week, i.e. 10th of February, we assume totally frozen lake will be observed if calm and no wind condition will last a few more days. (Our record shows the total frozen lake years were 2003, 2011 and 2015.)

Misogawa Dam was chosen for "100 Selected Beautiful Dams in Japan"(Only Japanese site) in 2005 by Water Resources Environment Center because of its rich natural environment in every season and its abundant ecology.

Please visit our Misogawa Operation and Maintenance Office website (https://www.water.go.jp/chubu/misogawa/) and have fun watching some photos of the frozen lake beauty. Of course, we welcome your physical visit to our Misogawa Dam site to observe the serene and beautiful winter sight with your own eyes.