The top ten largest man-made lakes in the world by surface area are Lake Volta (Ghana), Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe/Zambia), Lake Nasser (Egypt/Sudan), Lake Guri (Venezuela), Bratsk Reservoir (Russia), Lake Manicouagan (Canada), Lake Roosevelt (United States), Krasnoyarsk Reservoir (Russia), Lake Sakakawea (United States) and Lake Argyle (Australia).
These lakes are important for maintaining human activity and influencing the environment, but because they affect local communities, ecosystems, and habitats, environmental and social factors are frequently taken into account during creation.
In this article, we will cover the top 10 largest man-made lakes in the world along with their location and surface area.
Table of Content
- About the Largest Man-Made Lakes
- List of Top 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes
- Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Volta (Ghana)
- Second Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe)
- Third Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Bratsk Reservoir (Russia)
- Fourth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Nasser (Egypt/Sudan)
- Fifth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Guri (Venezuela)
- Sixth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Manicouagan Reservoir (Canada)
- Seventh Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Krasnoyarsk Reservoir (Russia)
- Eighth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Sakakawea
- Ninth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Roosevelt (United State)
- Tenth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Argyle (Australia)
About the Largest Man-Made Lakes
Man-made lakes, also known as reservoirs or artificial lakes, are bodies of water that are constructed by human action as opposed to naturally occurring geological processes. To store water and control its flow, dams or other structures are usually built across rivers or streams to create these lakes. Artificial lakes are used for a variety of functions, such as navigation, recreation, flood control, irrigation, and the production of hydroelectric power. They might be small ponds or huge reservoirs covering thousands of square kilometers in size.
List of Top 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes
The list of the top 10 largest man-made lakes in the world based on the surface area is as follows:
|
Man-Made Lakes of World |
Location |
Surface area in Square km |
|---|---|---|
|
Lake Volta |
Ghana |
8,482 |
|
Lake Kariba |
Zimbabwe, Zambia |
5,580 |
|
Bratsk Reservoir |
Russia |
5,470 |
|
Lake Nasser |
Egypt, Sudan |
5,250 |
|
Lake Guri |
Venezuela |
4,250 |
|
Lake Manicouagan |
Canada |
1,942 |
|
Krasnoyarsk Reservoir |
Russia |
1,620 |
|
Lake Sakakawea |
United States |
1,450 |
|
Lake Roosevelt |
United States |
1349 |
|
Lake Argyle |
Australia |
1000 |
Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Volta (Ghana)
Lake Volta in Ghana is the largest man-made lake by surface area globally. It is formed by the construction of the Akosombo Dam on the Volta River in 1965.
- It covers approximately 8,482 square kilometers when at full capacity.
- Lake Volta serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power, supporting Ghana’s electricity needs and neighboring countries.
- The reservoir also facilitates irrigation, fishing, and transportation activities, contributing to regional development.
- Its creation has led to ecological changes, including habitat alteration and displacement of communities. Efforts are ongoing to manage the lake sustainably while addressing environmental and social impacts.
Second Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe)
Lake Kariba is situated on the Zambezi River in Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is one of the largest man-made lakes globally.
- It was created with the completion of the Kariba Dam in 1959, jointly by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- It covers approximately 5,580 square kilometers (2,150 square miles).
- Lake Kariba serves as a critical reservoir for hydroelectric power generation, supporting both countries’ electricity needs and regional development.
- The lake also facilitates fishing, irrigation, tourism, and wildlife conservation, contributing to the local economy.
- Its construction led to environmental changes and the displacement of communities. Ongoing management efforts focus on balancing human needs with the preservation of ecological integrity.
Third Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Bratsk Reservoir (Russia)
The Bratsk Reservoir is located in Siberia, Russia. It is among the largest man-made lakes globally. It was formed by the completion of the Bratsk Dam on the Angara River in 1967.
- It covers approximately 5,470 square kilometers (2,110 square miles).
- It was created by the construction of the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station, one of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world.
- The reservoir has a storage capacity of over 169 cubic kilometers.
- It plays an important role in regulating the flow of the Angara River and provides water for irrigation and industrial purposes.
- It serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power, supporting industrial and residential areas in Siberia.
- The reservoir’s creation has facilitated economic development and improved living standards in the region.
Fourth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Nasser (Egypt/Sudan)
Lake Nasser, also known as Lake Nubia, is a vast reservoir situated in Egypt and Sudan. It was formed by the construction of the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River in the 1960s.
- It has a surface area of approximately 5,250 square kilometers (2,030 square miles).
- Lake Nasser serves as a vital source of water for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control in both countries.
- Its creation has significantly impacted the surrounding environment and led to the relocation of numerous archaeological sites.
- Despite challenges, the reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting agriculture, electricity production, and water management in the region.
Fifth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Guri (Venezuela)
Lake Guri is situated in Venezuela. It is an important reservoir formed by the construction of the Guri Dam on the Caroní River in the 1960s and 1970s.
- It has a surface area of approximately 4,250 square kilometers (1,640 square miles).
- It serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power, supplying electricity for residential, industrial, and commercial use in Venezuela.
- Lake Guri’s creation has facilitated economic development and improved living standards in the region.
- It has also led to environmental changes and impacted local ecosystems. Despite challenges, the reservoir plays a vital role in meeting Venezuela’s energy needs and supporting national development.
Sixth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Manicouagan Reservoir (Canada)
The Manicouagan Reservoir is situated in Quebec, Canada.
- It is a unique annular reservoir formed within an ancient impact crater.
- It was created in the 1960s by the construction of the Daniel-Johnson Dam on the Manicouagan River.
- It covers approximately 1,942 square kilometers (750 square miles).
- It serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power, it supports Quebec’s energy needs and industrial activities.
- The reservoir’s formation within an impact crater makes it a important geological feature, attracting scientific interest.
- Despite its environmental impact, the Manicouagan Reservoir contributes to regional development.
Seventh Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Krasnoyarsk Reservoir (Russia)
The Krasnoyarsk Reservoir is located in Siberia, Russia. It is one of the largest man-made lakes by volume globally.
- It was created by the completion of the Krasnoyarsk Dam on the Yenisei River in 1972.
- It spans approximately 73.3 cubic kilometers (17.6 cubic miles).
- It serves as a vital source of hydroelectric power, it supplies electricity for industrial and residential use in Siberia and beyond.
- The reservoir’s volume contributes significantly to Russia’s energy production and regional development.
- Its construction led to environmental changes, including habitat disruption and alteration of river ecosystems. Management efforts focus on balancing energy needs with environmental conservation.
Eighth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea is a large reservoir situated in the state of North Dakota, United States. It is formed by the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River-
- The lake stretches over 200 miles in length and has a shoreline of approximately 1,320 miles.
- It is named after the Shoshone Native American woman Sacagawea, Lake Sakakawea serves various purposes, including flood control, irrigation, navigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
- It offers recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, camping, and wildlife viewing.
- The lake’s scenic beauty, with its rugged bluffs and landscapes, attracts visitors from near and far.
- Lake Sakakawea is a popular destination for travellers and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Ninth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Roosevelt (United State)
Lake Roosevelt is a vast reservoir located in the state of Washington, United States. It was created by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River.
- The reservoir extends over 150 miles and has a shoreline of approximately 660 miles.
- Named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lake Roosevelt serves as a key component of the Columbia Basin Project, providing irrigation water for agriculture and hydroelectric power generation.
- The lake offers recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, camping, and hiking.
- It is surrounded by natural landscapes, including canyons, forests, and wildlife habitats.
- It is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
Tenth Largest Man-Made Lake in the world – Lake Argyle (Australia)
Lake Argyle is a vast artificial reservoir located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It was formed by the construction of the Ord River Dam on the Ord River.
- With a surface area of over 1,000 square kilometers, Lake Argyle is the largest man-made reservoir in Australia by volume.
- The lake has a storage capacity of over 10,700 gigalitres, making it a crucial water source for agriculture and irrigation in the region.
- Lake Argyle is known for its scenery, including rugged cliffs, islands, and expansive waterways.
- It supports a diverse ecosystem with abundant wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles and a variety of bird species.
- The lake offers recreational activities such as fishing, boating, camping, and scenic cruises, attracting tourists and nature-lovers.
Conclusion – Top 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes
The world’s top ten man-made lakes are great engineering achievements that have affected their surrounding areas. Aside from providing water, these lakes also aid in flood management, agriculture, recreation, and the production of hydroelectric power. They have helped their respective regions’ economies grow, their citizens’ quality of life has increased, and industry has expanded. Moreover, there have been difficulties and environmental issues since the construction of these artificial lakes. It changed natural landscapes, destroyed ecosystems, and displaced communities as a result of the building of dams and reservoirs. Thus, to reduce negative effects and increase positive ones, the building and administration of man-made lakes require careful planning, environmental impact studies, and sustainable practices.
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FAQs on Top 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes
What is the world’s greatest man-made lake?
Lake Volta is is the world’s greatest man-made lake.
What is the 2nd largest man-made reservoir?
Lake Kariba is the 2nd largest man-made reservoir.
What is the third largest artificial lake in the world?
Bratsk Reservoir of Russia is the third largest artificial lake in the world by surface area.
Which is the 2nd artificial lake in Asia?
Jaisamand Lake is the 2nd artificial lake in Asia.
Which is Asia largest human made lake?
Jaisamand lake is Asia largest human made lake.
Which is the largest man-made lake in India?
Gobind Ballabh Pant Sagar Lake is the largest man-made lake in India.
Which is the first artificial lake in India?
Upper Bhopal Lake is the first artificial lake in India.
Which is India’s largest lake?
Vembanad Lake, Kerala is India’s largest lake.