Discover the Largest dams in the world 2024, including the Top 10 largest dams in the world by World’s top dams by capacity and length. Explore major Largest hydroelectric dams globally, witnessing impressive engineering achievements. Stay updated on the Biggest dams in the world 2024 with our concise information on these monumental structures.
Three Gorges Dam is the largest dam in the world. This dam is located on the Yangtze River near Sandouping in Yiling District, Yichang. Dams are very important for the management of water resources in a country. Three Gorges Dam has a storage capacity of 39.3 million cubic meters of water.
Largest Dams in the World
Below is the list of largest dams in the world.
Table of Content
- List of Largest Dams in the world
- Largest Dam in the World – Three Gorges Dam
- Second Largest Dam in the World – Ltaipu Dam
- Third Largest Dam in the World – Xiluodu Dam
- Fourth Largest Dam in the World – Guri Dam
- Fifth Largest Dam in the World – Tucuruí Dam
- Sixth Largest Dam in the World – Grand Coulee Dam
- Seventh Largest Dam in the World – Longtan Dam
- Eighth Largest Dam in the World – Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam
- Ninth Largest Dam in the World – Krasnoyarsk Dam
- Tenth Largest Dam in the World – Robert-Bourassa Dam
- Top 10 Largest Dams in the World
- World’s Largest Dam
- Largest Dams in the World 2024
- Biggest Dams in the World 2024
- Top 10 Longest Dams in the World
- Largest Hydroelectric Dams
- World’s Top Dams by Capacity
- Major Dams Around the Globe
List of Largest Dams in the world
Below is the list of largest dams in the world.
| SL No | Top 10 Largest Dams in the World | Location | Volume (Cubic Meters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Three Gorges Dam | Hubei, China | 39.3 million |
| 2 | Itaipu Dam | Brazil/Paraguay | 12.3 million |
| 3 | Xiluodu Dam | Jinsha River, China | 12.67 million |
| 4 | Guri Dam | Bolivar State, Venezuela | 7.8 million |
| 5 | Tucuruí Dam | Para, Brazil | 12.7 million |
| 6 | Grand Coulee Dam | Washington, USA | 8.3 million |
| 7 | Fort Peck Dam | Montana, USA | 96 million (earthfill) |
| 8 | Atatürk Dam | Southeastern Anatolia, Turkey | 84.5 million |
| 9 | Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam | Sayanogorsk, Russia | 23.9 million |
| 10 | Oroville Dam | California, USA | 80 million |
Largest Dam in the World – Three Gorges Dam
Largest Dam in the World – Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges Dam on China’s Yangtze River is the world’s largest dam. It has a storage capacity of 22,500 MW. Three Gorges Dam is 2,335 meters in length and 181 meters in height. This dam was established in 2006 with aims to control floods, generate power, and improve navigation.
Eventhough, Three Gorges Dam is prime example of engineering. It has faced scrutiny for its environmental and social impacts, including displacing over a million people and altering the river’s ecosystem.
- Storage: 22,500 MW
- Location: Sandouping(Yiling)
Second Largest Dam in the World – Ltaipu Dam
Second Largest Dam in the World – Ltaipu Dam
The Itaipu Dam, which is situated on the Paraná River between Brazil and Paraguay, is the second largest dams in the world.
- It’s really tall, standing at 196 meters, and quite long, stretching over 7.7 kilometers. It’s the second-largest dam for making electricity.
- They started building it in 1975 and finished in 1984, so it took 9 years.
- The main job of this dam is to make electricity, and it does a lot—14,000 megawatts. That’s enough to cover about 90% of Paraguay’s electricity needs and 20% of Brazil’s.
- But building the Itaipu Dam had some issues. A lot of people had to move, and there were changes in the environment, losing some plants and animals.
- Despite the challenges, it’s a cool place to visit, with amazing views and impressive engineering.
Third Largest Dam in the World – Xiluodu Dam
Third Largest Dam in the World – Xiluodu Dam
The Xiluodu Dam in China is the third-largest dam globally, located on the Jinsha River.
- It’s super tall, standing at 285 meters, and wide, spanning over 700 meters.
- They started building it in 2005 and finished in 2013, so it took 8 years to complete.
- This dam can produce a massive amount of electricity—13,860 megawatts. That’s a big deal for China’s development.
- Three Gorges Dam, building Xiluodu Dam caused some problems. People were worried about how it might affect the environment and force communities to move. Despite the concerns, it’s seen as an amazing engineering achievement and has played a big part in China’s economic growth.
Fourth Largest Dam in the World – Guri Dam
Fourth Largest Dam in the World – Guri Dam
The Guri Dam in Venezuela is the fourth-largest dam globally, situated on the Caroni River.
- It’s really tall, reaching 162 meters, and super long, stretching over 7.4 kilometers. That makes it one of the biggest concrete dams ever made.
- Construction began way back in 1963 and finally wrapped up in 1978, so it took 15 years to finish.
- The main job of the Guri Dam is to make electricity for Venezuela. It can produce a whopping 10,235 megawatts, covering about 73% of the country’s electricity needs.
- Building this dam had its problems, like delays and political troubles. But despite the challenges, it’s a crucial source of power for Venezuela and has played a big role in helping the region grow economically.
Fifth Largest Dam in the World – Tucuruí Dam
Fifth Largest Dam in the World – Tucuruí Dam
Located on the Tocantins River in Brazil, the Tucuruí Dam is the fifth largest dam in the world.
- It’s really long, stretching over 11 kilometers, and stands at 78 meters tall.
- The dam can hold a lot of water—45 billion cubic meters.
- It’s powerful too, making up to 8,370 megawatts of electricity.
- They finished building it in 1984, and its main job is to generate power.
Sixth Largest Dam in the World – Grand Coulee Dam
Sixth Largest Dam in the World – Grand Coulee Dam
The Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State, USA, is the sixth-largest dam in the world, found on the Columbia River.
- It’s pretty tall, standing at 168 meters, and quite long, stretching over 1.6 kilometers. It’s one of the biggest concrete dams in North America.
- They started building it in 1933 and finished in 1942, so it took 9 years to complete.
- The main job of the Grand Coulee Dam is to make electricity. It can produce 6,809 megawatts, providing power to more than 2 million people.
- But it’s not just about electricity. This dam also helps with irrigation and controlling floods. And because of its size and the beautiful views, lots of people like to visit it.
Seventh Largest Dam in the World – Longtan Dam
The Longtan Dam in China’s Guangxi Province is the seventh-largest dam globally, situated on the Hongshui River.
- It’s really tall, reaching 904 feet, and quite long, stretching over 3,200 feet.
- They started building it in 2001 and finished in 2009, so it took 8 years to complete.
- The Longtan Dam makes a lot of electricity—6,426 megawatts. It’s an important source of hydroelectric power for the southern part of China.
- Besides making power, its big reservoir can hold a massive amount of water—30.3 billion cubic meters. This helps with controlling floods and providing water for irrigation.
Eighth Largest Dam in the World – Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam
Eighth Largest Dam in the World – Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam
The Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Russia, on the Yenisei River, is the eighth-largest dam globally.
- It’s really tall, standing at 810 feet, and quite long, stretching over 2,743 feet.
- Construction started in 1968 and finished in 1985, so it took 17 years to complete.
- This dam can produce a lot of electricity—6,400 megawatts. It has ten turbine generators.
- It also has a big reservoir that can hold up to 31 billion cubic meters of water.
- Even though it’s in a far-off area, the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam helps provide electricity to several industrial cities in Russia.
Ninth Largest Dam in the World – Krasnoyarsk Dam
The Krasnoyarsk Dam is on the Yenisei River and is the ninth-largest dam globally.
- It’s really tall, standing at 560 feet, and quite wide, stretching over 2,562 feet.
- They started building it in 1956 and finished in 1972, so it took 16 years to complete.
- The dam can produce a good amount of electricity-around 6,000 megawatts.
Tenth Largest Dam in the World – Robert-Bourassa Dam
The Robert-Bourassa Dam is in Canada on the La Grande River and is the tenth-largest dam globally.
- It’s pretty long, stretching over 2.3 kilometers, and stands at 162 meters tall.
- The dam can hold a massive amount of water—61.3 billion cubic meters.
- It can make a good amount of electricity too—5,616 megawatts.
- They finished building it in 1981, and its main job is to generate hydroelectric power.
Top 10 Largest Dams in the World
- Three Gorges Dam, China: The powerhouse of hydroelectric energy.
- Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay: A marvel of modern engineering.
- Xiluodu Dam, China: Combining power with environmental initiatives.
- Guri Dam, Venezuela: A critical source of renewable energy.
- Tucuruí Dam, Brazil: Pioneering sustainable hydroelectric power.
World’s Largest Dam
- The Three Gorges Dam in China stands as the world’s largest, by both capacity and structure.
Largest Dams in the World 2024
- New entries include the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia, showcasing Africa’s hydroelectric potential.
Biggest Dams in the World 2024
- The list remains dominated by the Three Gorges Dam, with the Itaipu Dam and the Xiluodu Dam following closely.
Top 10 Longest Dams in the World
- Hirakud Dam, India: The longest earthen dam, stretching over 25 kilometers.
- Atatürk Dam, Turkey: A key component of the Southeastern Anatolia Project.
Largest Hydroelectric Dams
- Three Gorges Dam leads in hydroelectric capacity, significantly contributing to China’s energy mix.
World’s Top Dams by Capacity
- Focuses on the sheer volume of water these structures can control and the power they generate.
Major Dams Around the Globe
- Hoover Dam, USA: An iconic symbol of human ingenuity.
- Aswan High Dam, Egypt: Vital for irrigation and electricity in the region.
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Top 10 Largest Dams in the World – FAQs
What are the top 10 largest dams in the world as of now?
The list includes the Three Gorges Dam (China), Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay), Xiluodu Dam (China), and others, based on their total structural volume, power generation capacity, or dam length.
Which is the largest dam in the world by volume?
The Three Gorges Dam in China is currently the largest by volume, capable of producing a massive amount of hydroelectric power.
How is the size of a dam measured?
Dams can be measured by height, length, volume of materials used in construction, reservoir volume, or electricity generation capacity.
What country has the most dams in the top 10 list?
China has the most dams listed in the top 10, reflecting its significant investment in hydroelectric power.
Are there any new dams being built that could enter the top 10?
Yes, several countries are constructing large dams that could alter the rankings, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia.
What is the primary purpose of these large dams?
The primary purposes include hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, and water supply.
How do large dams impact the environment and local communities?
While providing essential services, large dams can also lead to environmental changes, displacement of local communities, and alterations in river ecosystems.
What are the challenges in maintaining large dams?
Challenges include ensuring structural integrity, managing sedimentation in the reservoir, and adapting to changing climate conditions.
Which dam holds the largest reservoir by volume?
The Kariba Dam, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, holds one of the largest reservoirs by volume.
How do the largest dams compare in terms of hydroelectric power generation?
The Three Gorges Dam, Itaipu Dam, and Guri Dam are among the top in hydroelectric power generation, each contributing significantly to their country’s energy needs.
What innovations are being implemented in dam construction?
Innovations include advanced materials for improved strength and durability, environmentally sensitive construction practices, and enhanced hydroelectric technology for greater efficiency.
Where can I find more detailed information about the world’s largest dams?
Detailed information can be found on the websites of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the World Commission on Dams, as well as in engineering and environmental studies.
What are the 10 largest dams in the world?
- Three Gorges Dam, China
- Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay
- Xiluodu Dam, China
- Guri Dam, Venezuela
- Tucuruí Dam, Brazil
- Grand Coulee Dam, USA
- Longtan Dam, China
- Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam, Russia
- Krasnoyarsk Dam, Russia
- Hoover Dam, USA
What is the largest dam in the world?
The Three Gorges Dam, which is situated in China on the Yangtze River, is the biggest dam in the world.
Which dam is the tallest concrete dam in the world?
The tallest concrete dam in the world at the moment is the Longtan Dam, which is situated on the Hongshui River in China.
What is the generating capacity of the Kariba Dam?
Situated on the Zambezi River, dividing Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Kariba Dam can produce 6,400 megawatts of electricity.
Why are dams important?
Dams are important for a number of reasons, including flood control, electricity production, irrigation water supply, navigation support, and general water management.
How does the Tucuruí Dam benefit Brazil?
Brazil’s Tucuruí Dam powers isolated communities and fosters the nation’s industrial development.