Top 6 Largest Dams In The World—By Water Capacity
Largest Dams are barrier structures that impound water in rivers or streams, providing a variety of benefits such as hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, water supply, and recreation. Dams help to regulate water flow, limiting downstream flooding and providing a consistent supply for agriculture, industry, and residential use. They also allow for the development of renewable hydroelectric electricity, which reduces dependency on fossil fuels while mitigating climate change. Dams also generate reservoirs that support aquatic ecosystems, allow for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities, and can even serve as a supply of drinking water. Dams are vital for managing water supplies, enabling economic development, and fostering environmental sustainability. Here are the six largest dams:
Top 6 Largest Dams In The World
Kariba Dam:
Kariba Dam, one of the biggest dams in the world, is situated on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, separating Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is 579 meters (1,900 feet) long and 128 meters (420 feet) high. When the Zambezi River is impounded by the double-curvature arch Kariba Dam, which was finished in 1959, a vast reservoir called Lake Kariba—which can hold 180 billion cubic meters of water—is formed.
The dam supplies water for cultivation, fishing, and recreation while preventing flooding downstream. It also produces hydroelectric electricity for Zimbabwe and Zambia, promoting the economic development of the region. The Kariba Dam is an incredible feat of engineering and an essential piece of water management infrastructure in the area, sustaining the environment and the lives of millions of people.
Bratsk Dam:
Bratsk Dam, which is one of the biggest dams in the world, is situated on the Angara River in southern Siberia, Russia. It is 924 meters (3,031 feet) long and 124 meters (407 feet) high. After the Angara River was impounded in 1966 by the concrete gravity dam known as Bratsk Dam, the enormous reservoir known as Lake Bratsk—which has a storage capacity of 169 billion cubic meters—was formed.
Along with providing water for irrigation, fishing, and recreation, the dam also controls flooding downstream and produces hydroelectric power, which boosts the industrial and economic growth of the area. Russia’s Bratsk Dam is an important piece of water management infrastructure and an engineering feat that is key to the nation’s energy security and regional growth.
Akosombo Dam:
Akosombo Dam is a 1965-completed rockfill dam of 660 meters (2,165 feet) in length and 134 meters (440 feet) in height. It is situated on the Volta River in Ghana, West Africa. One of the biggest artificial lakes in the world, Lake Volta, is created by the dam and has a 120 billion cubic meter storage capacity. Over 70% of Ghana’s electricity needs are met by hydroelectric power produced by the Akosombo Dam, which also promotes the industrial and economic growth of the nation.
In addition to managing flooding downstream, the dam supplies water for recreational, fishing, and agricultural purposes. Akosombo Dam is a key piece of water management infrastructure in Ghana. It is seen as a representation of the nation’s architectural brilliance and economic advancement and is essential to the country’s energy, food, and regional growth.
Daniel Johnson Dam:
The Daniel-Johnson Dam is an arch dam that is 1,312 meters (4,304 feet) long and 214 meters (702 feet) high and was built in Quebec, Canada, in 1968. The Manicouagan Reservoir, a vast lake with a 140 billion cubic meter storage capacity, is created when the dam impounds the Manicouagan River. The Daniel-Johnson Dam is one of the world’s biggest hydroelectric power-generating plants, generating nearly 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. With its towering construction and curved shape, the dam is a spectacular engineering achievement. It assists local economic growth and enjoyment while also providing a critical energy source for Quebec and the neighboring regions.
Guri Dam:
The Guri Dam is a concrete gravity dam of 162 meters (531 feet) in height and 7,426 meters (24,368 feet) in length. It was finished in 1986 and is situated in Bolivar State, Venezuela. The Guri Reservoir, a vast lake with a storage capacity of 138 billion cubic meters, was created when the dam impounds the Carrao River. It is one of the greatest hydroelectric power-generating plants in the world, The Guri Dam produces approximately 24 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. In addition to providing water for farming, fishing, and leisure, the dam is an important engineering feat and an essential part of Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, supporting the nation’s industrial expansion, economic development, and regional power supply.
Aswan High Dam:
The Aswan High Dam is an embankment dam that is 3,830 meters (12,562 feet) long and 111 meters (364 feet) tall, situated in Aswan, Egypt. It was finished in 1970. By impounding the Nile River, the dam forms Lake Nasser, a vast reservoir with a 157 billion cubic meter storage capacity.
In addition to producing approximately 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, the Aswan High Dam manages flooding downstream and provides hydroelectric power, all of which help Egypt’s agricultural and economic growth. The dam is a magnificent feat of engineering and an essential part of Egypt’s infrastructure for managing its water resources. It supplies water for drinking, industry, and agriculture, supports regional growth and recreation, and maintains the Nile’s yearly flooding cycle.
