この地域はかつて「古阿賀」とも呼ばれ、あばれ阿賀野川の乱流からとり残された三日月湖があり、また、現在では絶滅危惧種のアサザ、ガガブタなど貴重な水棲植物が自生する水部である。かつてこの潟の幅は90m近くもあり、地域の住人は対岸まで張った綱をたぐりながら往き来したという。往年の様子を再現した舟運を体験するイベントも企画された。この阿賀野川の図は水と土の芸術祭2009カタログの巻頭論文「環境資源目録から見えるもの」に詳しい。同芸術祭のプロジェクトを理解するためにも、上述の巻頭論文とその論旨を具現している6点の図の参照をおすすめしたい。

Agano River Meandered Here, Then Became an Oxbow Lake, 2009

This area was once known as “Ko-Aga(Old Aga)” and features a crescent-shaped lake left behind by the turbulent flow of the unruly Agano River. It is now a habitat where rare aquatic plants such as the endangered Asaza and Gaga-buta thrive. Historically, the lagoon spanned nearly 90 meters, and local residents used to cross back and forth by pulling on ropes stretched to the opposite bank. An event allowing participants to experience the boat transport that recreated the scenery of bygone days was also planned. Detailed information about the Agano River can be found in the lead article “What Can Be Seen from the Environmental Resource Inventory” of the Water and Soil Art Festival 2009 catalog. To better understand the projects of the same art festival, it is recommended to refer to the aforementioned lead article and the six diagrams that illustrate its arguments.