The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (MAOUDC), situated just outside Tokyo, stands as one of the most remarkable engineering achievements in the world. It was designed to address the frequent flooding issues that have affected Japan’s capital. This underground system exemplifies innovative civil engineering and effective environmental management.
Purpose and Design
The MAOUDC (Metropolitan Area Outer Discharge Channel) was developed to safeguard the Tokyo metropolitan area from flooding due to heavy rainfall and rising water levels. Japan is frequently subjected to intense downpours, and Tokyo is particularly susceptible because of its dense infrastructure and low-lying geography. In operation since 2006, the MAOUDC serves as a vast underground drainage and flood control system.
Japan's Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel is a Marvel of Engineering
This facility comprises a network of tunnels, reservoirs, and large vertical shafts designed to collect and redirect excess rainwater. One of its most impressive features is the G-Cans Underground Temple, a spacious cavern that houses enormous concrete pillars, each reaching about 20 meters in height. This underground "temple" functions as a reservoir, temporarily storing water before it is pumped into the nearby Edo River.
The Metropolitan Area Outer Discharge Channel (MAOUDC) has played a pivotal role in substantially lowering the risk of flooding throughout the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo, ensuring the protection of both the local economy and the safety of its residents. As a result of this advanced flood control system, the surrounding urban areas have become considerably more resilient against the adverse effects of extreme weather events, which are projected to intensify due to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. The MAOUDC’s remarkable capability to prevent extensive flood damage has led to the preservation of invaluable resources, saving millions of dollars that would otherwise have been lost due to economic disruptions and property damage resulting from flooding incidents.
It functions as an underground water storage reservoir, forming a monumental system for floodwater diversion.
Key Features
- Size and Scale: The MAOUDC spans 6.3 kilometers and includes five enormous vertical shafts. The largest shaft, the Tama River Shaft, is 30 meters deep and 20 meters in diameter.
- Capacity: The system can handle up to 200 tons of water per minute and manage up to one million cubic meters of floodwater in a single event.
- Pump System: A network of powerful pumps moves the collected water through the system, ensuring rapid discharge and preventing overflow that could inundate the urban landscape.
The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel stands as an impressive illustration of how engineering can tackle urban challenges. By leveraging underground space and cutting-edge technologies, Japan has crafted a crucial infrastructure asset that ensures the future safety of Tokyo. This initiative exemplifies how innovative design can effectively mitigate the effects of natural disasters in densely populated regions.
- This is the only entrance (and exit) to the "Underground Temple".