Kasegawa

A river that flows through the center of Saga Prefecture. It is a first-class river with a length of 57 km and a drainage area of ​​368 square km. It originates near Mitsuse Pass on the border between Fukuoka and Saga Prefectures, and flows south, collecting several tributaries that flow through the granite mountains on the southern slope of the Sefuri Mountains, passing through Kawakamikyo (Yamatocho area, Saga City), flowing south through the center of the Saga Plain, merging with the Gion River, which originates in the southeastern part of the Tenzan Mountains, and flowing into the Ariake Sea. The upstream area from Ishiihi, the former watershed of the Tafuse River that flows through Saga City, is also called the Kawakami River. In the Hizen no Kuni Fudoki, it is called the Saga River. Upstream is Hokuzan Dam, completed in 1957 (Showa 32). Water from this Kitayama Reservoir is distributed to Saga City and Moroichi Town in the plains at Kawakami Headworks. In 2012 (Heisei 24), the new Kasegawa Dam was completed in the Fujicho area of ​​Saga City. The mountain water system is dotted with hydroelectric power plants, and is also home to hot spring resorts such as Furuyu and Kumanokawa. The Kawakami Gorge area is the base of Kawakami Kinryu Prefectural Natural Park, rich in beautiful valleys and historical sites, and is also home to hotels and other facilities. Downstream, near the former river port of Kasetsu, the old river channel was renovated in the meandering section of the river and is now a forest park. A tidal flat stretches out at the river mouth.

[Shigeru Kawasaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

佐賀県の中央部を流れる川。延長57キロメートル、流域面積368平方キロメートルの一級河川。福岡・佐賀県境三瀬(みつせ)峠付近に源を発し、脊振(せふり)山地南斜面の花崗岩(かこうがん)山地を流れるいくつもの支流を集めて南流、川上峡(かわかみきょう)（佐賀市大和(やまと)町地区）を経て佐賀平野中央部を南流し、途中天山(てんざん)南東部に源を発する祇園川(ぎおん)と合流して有明(ありあけ)海に注ぐ。佐賀市街を流れる多布施(たふせ)川の旧分水地点の石井樋(いしいび)付近から上流は川上川ともいう。『肥前国風土記(ひぜんのくにふどき)』には佐嘉川(さかがわ)とある。上流に1957年（昭和32）完成の北山(ほくざん)ダムがある。この北山貯水池の水は、川上頭首工(とうしゅこう)で佐賀市ほか平野部諸市町に配分する。2012年（平成24）新たに嘉瀬川ダムが佐賀市富士町地区に完成。山間部水系には水力発電所が点在し、古湯(ふるゆ)、熊の川の温泉地もある。川上峡付近は川上金立県立自然公園(かわかみきんりゅうけんりつしぜんこうえん)の拠点で、渓谷美と史跡に富み、ホテルなどの諸施設も立地。下流の旧河港嘉瀬津(かせつ)付近は蛇行部の河川改修で旧河道となり、いまは森林公園となっている。河口に干潟が広がる。

［川崎　茂］

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