Abashiri River (網走川, Abashiri-gawa) is a Class A river in Hokkaidō, Japan.[1]

Abashiri River
網走川
Abashiri River is located in Japan
Abashiri River
Mouth
Native nameAbashiri-gawa (Japanese)
Location
CountryJapan
Prefecture/RegionHokkaidō
SubprefectureIburi
DistrictAbashiri, City of Abashiri
MunicipalitiesBihoro, Ōzora, Tsubetsu
Physical characteristics
SourceMount Ahoro
 • locationTsubetsu, Hokkaidō, Japan
 • elevation978 m (3,209 ft)
MouthSea of Okhotsk
 • location
Abashiri, Hokkaidō, Japan
 • coordinates
44°1′30″N 144°16′30″E / 44.02500°N 144.27500°E / 44.02500; 144.27500
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length115 km (71 mi)
Basin size1,380 km2 (530 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average13.96 m3/s (493 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Population49,000

Etymology

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The name Abashiri is theorised to come from the Ainu words a-pa-siri (lit. "we found land") or apa-siri ("land of entrance)[2]

History

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Around 1000 years ago, the Okhotsk culture settled the river basin and moved inland. Remains from the Jōmon period have been found on the bottom of Lake Abashiri.[3] Pottery fragments from the Jōmon period have been found in caves in the area.[2]

Flood control projects have been carried out in the basin since 1933.[4]

Basin area

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The basin of the Abashiri River has an area of 1,380 km2 (530 sq mi).[1] Approximately 49,000 people live in the basin area.[1]

Course

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The Abashiri River rises in Tsubetsu on the slopes of Mount Ahoro of the Akan Volcanic Complex. The river leaves the mountains and is joined by Tsubetsu River and Bihoro River before flowing into Lake Abashiri. The river exits the lake and flows into the Sea of Okhotsk at Abashiri.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "日本の川 - 北海道 - 網走川 - 国土交通省水管理・国土保全局". www.mlit.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  2. ^ a b "日本の川 - 北海道 - 網走川 - 国土交通省水管理・国土保全局". www.mlit.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
  3. ^ a b "Abashiri River" 網走川 (in Japanese). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Tourism Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  4. ^ "日本の川 - 北海道 - 網走川 - 国土交通省水管理・国土保全局". www.mlit.go.jp. Retrieved 2024-03-05.