While still protecting the area from sediment‐related disasters as active facilities, historical sabo facilities are also used as outdoor educational opportunities that convey the local history along with how to deal with disasters, and are used as a local resource in regional revitalization. However, as for the utilization of these historic facilities, not every location is fully aware of the value they hold, nor are they all being used for such purposes. This time, local residents were surveyed as to the present state of historic sabo facilities, along with the challenges they face; specifically targeting both the Bannai River and Hikagesawa (Myoko, Niigata), which are considered the pioneers of historic sabo facilities throughout the Niigata prefecture, as well as the Kamakurasawa River (Minami Uonuma, Niigata), which takes second place in terms of age. This study outlines the current state of the utilization of historic sabo facilities, and considers the issues of utilization in comparing the two locations. These two historical sabo facilities have different utilization situations. Based on the research results on the construction history and technical background of historical sabo facilities so far, we will reveal the issues in the levitation of historical sabo facilities from the questionnaire survey and interviews. Based on them, we considered conservation utilization, maintenance and regional activation of historical sabo facilities. As a specific correspondence content, we proposed the organization of a resident organization, maintenance of activity base facilities, and regular events and advance the levy of historical sabo facilities.