Shinano River Work Office
Contents
English Top
The Shinano River
Basin
The Ohkouzu
Diversion Channel
Riverscape
Climate
Basin
Runoff
Flood
Living things
The Shinano River Basin


Topography

Looking from the view of topography, the upper area is formed with, what is called the Japanese roof, steep Northern Japan Alps mountains and flat ground such as the Nagano basin. The lower area is formed with the Echigo plain, created by lots of soil and sand delivered by the water of the Shinano River. The surrounding inhabitants of the Shinano River hold its calming influence especially on the border of the prefectures where you can find the river terraces.


The length and the area

The Shinano River is 367km in length, and is as long as the distance between Niigata and Tokyo. It is the longest river in Japan. The area of the Shinano basin is 11,900km2, which is as wide as the area of Niigata prefecture.


Five longest rivers in Japan
Ranking Name of the river Length(km)
1 The Shinano 367
2 The Tone 322
3 The Ishikari 268
4 The Teshio 256
5 The Kitakami 249


Five widest areas of the river basin
Ranking Name of the river Area(km2)
1 The Tone 16,840
2 The Ishikari 14,330
3 The Shinano 11,900
4 The Kitakami 10,150
5 The Kiso 9,100


The number of river branches of the Shinano River is second in Japan. Each river branch gives all kinds of benefits to people living in the river basin.

Top 5 ranking number of river branches in Japan
Ranking Name of the river Number of river branches
1 The Yodo 962
2 The Shinano 880
3 The Tone 805
4 The Fuji 555
5 The Tsukihiro 475


Inclines

Since 70% of Japan is mountainous, water flows nonstop from the source of a river, in the mountains to the sea. The incline of the rivers are steep, so water flows fast.



Extension and inclination of the Shinano River



Inclines of rivers


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