Top 10 Biggest Dams in the world |
The size of a dam can be measured in several ways, such as its height, volume, reservoir capacity, or surface area. Here are some of the biggest dams in the world, considering different criteria:
1. Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam, situated in China, stands at a height of 185 meters (607 feet) and stretches across 2,335 meters (7,660 feet). It boasts a reservoir capacity of 39.3 billion cubic meters. Notably, it is recognized as the world's largest power station by installed capacity, with 22,500 MW. The Three Gorges Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
2. Kariba Dam
The Kariba Dam, straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, stands at a height of 128 meters (420 feet) and stretches 579 meters (1,900 feet) in length. Its reservoir boasts a capacity of 180.6 billion cubic meters, making it one of the world's largest by volume. The Kariba Dam ranks as one of the world's biggest dams.
3. Bratsk Dam
The Bratsk Dam is situated in Russia, standing 125 meters (410 feet) tall and extending 1,452 meters (4,764 feet) in length. Its reservoir has a capacity of 169.27 billion cubic meters, making it notable for its vast size and substantial hydroelectric power generation. The Bratsk Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
4. Akosombo Dam
The Akosombo Dam, situated in Ghana, stands 114 meters (374 feet) tall and stretches 700 meters (2,297 feet) in length. It boasts a reservoir capacity of 144 billion cubic meters, and its construction has led to the creation of Lake Volta, one of the world's largest man-made lakes. The Akosombo Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
5. Daniel Johnson Dam (Manic5)
The Daniel Johnson Dam, also known as Manic-5, is located in Canada. It stands 214 meters (702 feet) tall and stretches 1,314 meters (4,311 feet) in length. The dam's reservoir has a capacity of 142.8 billion cubic meters, making it the world's largest multiple-arch and buttress dam. The Daniel Johnson Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
6. Guri Dam
The Guri Dam, located in Venezuela, stands at a height of 162 meters (531 feet) and extends over a length of 7,426 meters (24,345 feet). Its reservoir has a capacity of 135 billion cubic meters, making it one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in terms of installed capacity. The Guri Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
7. Aswan High Dam
The Aswan High Dam, situated in Egypt, stands at a height of 111 meters (364 feet) and stretches across 3,830 meters (12,565 feet). It boasts a reservoir capacity of 132 billion cubic meters, which contributes to the creation of Lake Nasser, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the world. The Aswan High Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
8. W.A.C. Bennett Dam
The W.A.C. Bennett Dam, located in Canada, stands at a height of 183 meters (600 feet) and stretches across 2,068 meters (6,785 feet). It holds a reservoir capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, and its construction led to the creation of Williston Lake, the largest reservoir in British Columbia. The W.A.C. Bennett Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
9. Nurek Dam
Nurek Dam, situated in Tajikistan, stands at a height of 300 meters (984 feet) and stretches 700 meters (2,297 feet) in length. Its reservoir has a capacity of 10.5 billion cubic meters, making it the tallest dam in the world. Nurek Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
10. Tehri Dam
The Tehri Dam, situated in India, stands at a height of 260.5 meters (855 feet) and stretches across 575 meters (1,886 feet). It boasts a reservoir capacity of 2.6 billion cubic meters, making it the tallest dam in India and one of the highest in the world. The Tehri Dam is one of the biggest dams in the world.
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