Top 5 Largest Human-Made Lakes

Located in Ghana, West Africa, Lake Volta is the world's largest human-made lake, covering an area of approximately 8,502 square kilometers (3,287 square miles). It was created by the construction of the Akosombo Dam on the Volta River between 1965 and 1970. The dam has a height of 35 meters (115 feet) above sea level and generated over 7.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in its first year of operation. The lake's waters also support a diverse range of fish species, including the endangered African lungfish. The creation of Lake Volta had significant impacts on the local environment and displaced approximately 72,000 people from their traditional fishing communities.

Located along the border of Egypt and Sudan in Northeast Africa, Lake Nasser is the second-largest human-made lake, covering an area of about 5,250 square kilometers (2,024 square miles). The construction of the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River began in 1957 and took nearly four years to complete. The dam has a height of 108 meters (354 feet) above sea level and is capable of generating over 50 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Lake Nasser also supports a variety of aquatic life, including crocodiles, hippos, and multiple species of fish. The creation of the lake had significant cultural impacts on the local Bedouin communities.

Located in Libya, North Africa, the Great Man-Made River is a network of artificial canals and lakes that stretches over 4,100 kilometers (2,550 miles). The construction began in 1959 under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi and aimed to supply water from aquifers and natural sources to the population. The project has brought significant economic growth and development to Libya but also faces criticism for its environmental impact on local ecosystems. Lake Arabiya is the largest artificial lake, covering an area of approximately 2,200 square kilometers (849 square miles). The Great Man-Made River system has been recognized as one of the most impressive engineering achievements in modern history.

Located along the border of Ethiopia and Somalia in East Africa, Lake Jubba is a significant man-made lake that covers an area of about 2,950 square kilometers (1,141 square miles). The construction began in 1978 under the government of Emperor Haile Selassie and took nearly two years to complete. The dam has a height of 75 meters (246 feet) above sea level and generates over 6.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Lake Jubba is an important source of hydroelectric power for Ethiopia, providing energy for millions of people. The lake's creation had also significant agricultural benefits, allowing local farmers to increase their rice production.

Located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay in South America, the Itaipu Dam creates the largest artificial lake by surface area, covering approximately 1,800 square kilometers (699 square miles). The construction began in 1970 under the joint Brazilian-Paraguayan effort, which aimed to generate hydroelectric power for both countries. The dam has a height of 196 meters (643 feet) above sea level and is capable of generating over 140 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Itaipu Dam holds several world records, including being one of the largest producers of renewable energy globally.