Lake Ezuko

This lake is located in the southeast of Kumamoto city. It is a river expansion lake that spreads out over the Shirakawa floodplain below the cliffs of the Takumabarudaichi Plateau, which continues from the slopes of the Aso outer rim, and is divided into upper and lower parts. Its area is about 50 hectares. The lake is mainly supplied with water from the free groundwater valley of the Takumabarudaichi Plateau behind it, and also from the Shiramizu Plateau that follows. The lake is always filled with abundant water due to the Suizenji-Gotsu springs and the Gotsu Lake artesian zone, and is also the source of the Kasegawa River. The Daimyo embankment that remains to the west of the lake was built by Kato Kiyomasa as one of the defense lines of Kumamoto Castle. The Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens and other recreational facilities are located on the lakeside, making it a place of relaxation for citizens throughout the year. It is the birthplace of Aphidium sacrum, a nationally designated natural monument. 20 minutes by bus from Kumamoto Transportation Center.

[Yamaguchi Morito]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

熊本市街の南東にある湖。阿蘇(あそ)外輪山斜面から続く託麻原台地(たくまばるだいち)崖(がい)下の白川氾濫(はんらん)原に広がる河川膨張湖で、上・下の二つに分かれている。面積約50ヘクタール。湖水は、背後の託麻原台地の自由地下水谷から主として、さらにその後の白水台地からも供給を受けている。水前寺(すいぜんじ)―江津湧水(ゆうすい)群、江津湖自噴帯などによってつねに豊かな水をたたえ、加勢川(かせがわ)の水源ともなっている。湖水の西に残る大名堤は熊本城の防衛線の一つとして、加藤清正(きよまさ)によって築き上げられたものである。湖畔には熊本市動植物園ほか行楽施設も整い、四季を通して市民の憩いの場となっている。国指定天然記念物スイゼンジノリの発生地。熊本交通センターからバス20分。

［山口守人］

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