Jozankei Dam Crest Observatory

Jozankei Dam
Jozankei Dam is a multipurpose dam used for flood control, securing water for domestic use, and hydroelectric power generation. Together with Hoheikyo Dam, Jozankei Dam supports the lives of Sapporo’s citizens. Completed in 1989, it is a concrete gravity dam 117.5m high – the second highest dam in Hokkaido – and 410m long, taking 11 years to build. The amount of water stored in the dam is equivalent to filling Sapporo Dome 52 times.
For more information on Jozankei Dam
https://www.hkd.mlit.go.jp/sp/toyohira_damu/kluhh4000000b7ql.html

The name, Lake Sapporo, was chosen through a public contest
The name of the dam was originally to be Otarunai Dam, but it was eventually named Jozankei Dam after locals demanded a different name. In addition, the dam lake was named Lake Sapporo by the general public since the name of the dam lake of Hoheikyo Dam, located across Jozankei Onsen, was Lake Jozan.

A rich natural environment
The area around Jozankei Dam is rich in lush greenery and has been designated a national park – Shikotsu-Toya National Park. The surrounding plants, located around 400m above sea level, are distributed across low to alpine zones. Shikotsu-Toya National Park is characterized by a mixed forest consisting of coniferous and broad-leaved trees, including Ezomatsu (Picea jezoensis), Todomatsu (Abies sachalinensis), Harunire (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica), and Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) trees. The area is inhabited by small animals such as Ezo squirrels, chipmunks, Ezo flying squirrels, and wildlife such as Northern red fox, Ezo raccoon dog, Ezo shika deer, brown bears, and insects such as the Jozan chequered blue. The area around the park offers a rich variety of flowers in each of the four seasons. Flowers such as Ezoengosaku (Corydalis ambigua) are in full bloom in spring. In June, the flowers of the primrose family are popular among plant enthusiasts, such as Okatoranoo (Lysimachia clethroides), Kusaredama (Lysimachia punctata), Konasubi (Lysimachia japonica), as well as Ezokugaiso (Veronicastrum japonicum).