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Lake Hibara facts for kids

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Lake Hibara
Lake Hibara As Seen From Bandai.JPG
Lake Hibara viewed from north of Mount Bandai
Location Kitashiobara
Coordinates 37°41′0″N 140°3′20″E / 37.68333°N 140.05556°E / 37.68333; 140.05556
Basin countries Japan
Surface area 10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi)
Max. depth 30.5 m (100 ft)
Water volume 0.13 km3 (110,000 acre⋅ft)
Shore length1 31.5 km (19.6 mi)
Surface elevation 822.0 m (2,696.9 ft)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Hibara (桧原湖, Hibara-ko) is a beautiful lake located in Yama District, Fukushima, Japan. It is the largest lake in the Bandai-kōgen highlands and is part of the amazing Bandai-Asahi National Park.

How Lake Hibara Was Formed

Lake Hibara is a special kind of lake called a mesotrophic lake. This means it has a medium amount of nutrients, which helps different plants and animals live there.

This lake was not always here! It was created in a very dramatic way on July 15, 1888. On that day, Mount Bandai erupted. A huge debris avalanche (a fast-moving slide of rock and soil) rushed down the mountain. This avalanche blocked a river, forming a natural dam. Over time, water collected behind this dam, creating Lake Hibara.

When the lake formed, it sadly covered a village called Hibara Village (桧原村, Hibara-mura). The ruins of this old village are still at the bottom of the lake today! It's like a hidden underwater town.

Exploring Lake Hibara

Lake Hibara is a popular spot for visitors. People come to enjoy its natural beauty, especially with the stunning Mount Bandai nearby.

You can often see people enjoying activities like:

  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Hiking around the shore

In winter, when the lake freezes over, it becomes a popular place for ice fishing, especially for wakasagi (smelt fish).

Images for kids

  • Views of Lake Hibara
  • Lake Hibara-ko

    Lake Hibara with snow

  • Lake Hibara-ko2

    Looking south

  • Lake Hibara-ko4

    Submerged torii from the former location of Hibara Village.

  • Takeda, Toru; Hishinuma, Tomio; Kamieda, Kinuyo; Dale, Leigh; Oguma, Chiyoichi (August 10, 1988). Hello! Fukushima - International Exchange Guide Book (1988 ed.). Fukushima City: Fukushima Mimpo Press
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Lake Hibara Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.