Photo/Illutration Ammunition discovered at the Kurashiki dam in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 7, according to the prefectural government (Provided by the Okinawa prefectural government)

NAHA--The Okinawa prefectural government stopped drawing water from the Kurashiki dam after officials discovered unexploded ordnances and drums containing projectile shells in the mud there, it announced on Feb. 17.

The spot where the old munitions were discovered is normally submerged when the dam is full. But the water level was low when officials were conducting an inspection of the dam and discovered the ammunition and large metal drums.

According to the prefectural government, the rusting cache likely belongs to the U.S. forces. The U.S. forces’ Kadena Ammunition Storage Area occupies a large swath of the vast forest areas surrounding the dam.

The Okinawa Defense Bureau of the Defense Ministry is investigating whether there was any soil contamination in the areas surrounding the dam, including any substances that might be harmful to humans.

According to the prefectural government, staff members working at the dam’s management office reported to police that they had discovered explosives in the dam just after 10 a.m. on Feb. 7.

Members of the Self-Defense Forces came to the scene and verified the discovery before removing the potentially dangerous unexploded munitions.

The SDF told the prefectural government that the contents discovered included rifle bullets and lead bullets. The physical properties of the munitions, such as the size of the bullets, led the SDF to believe they belong to the U.S. forces.

The two metal drums discovered along with the ammunition contained soil and portions of shells.

The Kurashiki dam, which is managed by the prefecture, spans several areas, including Uruma, and is used to supply the local water needs.

Of the six dams in the prefecture managed by the prefectural government, the Kurashiki dam stores the largest amount of water. 

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