In the Monobe River, which flows through central Kochi Prefecture, the water level in the lower reaches is low, making it impossible to catch sweetfish, which is a specialty of this period.
The Nagase Dam in Kami City, Kochi Prefecture, which is located upstream of the Monobe River, has a water storage rate of 54.9% at noon on the 1st due to the effect of low rainfall, which is about 10% lower than usual.
According to the dam management office, the amount of water discharged has been reduced to about 8 tons per second, which is about half the normal amount, since the middle of last month.
Most of the discharged water is taken in as agricultural water in the middle of the river, so it is only possible to secure the minimum flow rate downstream.
At this time of year, the lower reaches are crowded with sweetfish fishing, but the place where you can see the riverbed is conspicuous, and you can't see any anglers.
According to the local fishermen's cooperative, although the number of sweetfish does not change, the width of the river is narrow and it is densely packed in a limited area, so it is not possible to do "friend fishing" using territorial consciousness.
In addition, it is difficult to cast net fishing near sweetfish because the river flow is gentle and it is easy to be alert.
Ayu caught in the Monobe River are often brought directly to markets and restaurants by anglers, but there are concerns about a decrease in catch.
A man from a local fishermen's cooperative said, "This is the first time that the water level has dropped so much. The water temperature is high and it is difficult for sweetfish to grow, so we cannot expect sweetfish fishing like usual."
In the Monobe River, the intake of agricultural water is also limited to 60% of the normal amount, and it is possible that the limit will be tightened if the rainy days continue.