Top 10 Man-made Lakes in the world

Manmade lakes can also be referred to as artificial lakes. These lakes are as a result of dam creation. A dam can be created for a number of reasons among them being power generation, irrigation and supplying water. As time goes by, these huge water reservoirs eventually turn out to be man-made lakes. Sometimes these reservoirs grow in stature to become features that can be reckoned with world widely. An example of one of the biggest man made lake is Lake Kariba. This world largest man made lake is located in Africa and is only one amongst the many. This article will try to give you an insight to the top ten manmade lakes available in the world. All these lakes supply water to the residents residing near the vicinity. Here is a complete list of man made lakes that can be found in the world.

10

Lake Oahe

The lake is located in the US on the Missouri River behind the Oahe Dam. Lake Oahe begins at central South Dakota and continues up to North Dakota covering a 370,000 acre piece of land. The lake is about 205 ft. deep and boosts of having more than 51 recreational spots. Not only this, it is a home to several species of fish including Salmon fish, catfish, northern pike and many others. With that, Lake Oahe ranks at number 10 on our list of top 10 largest man made lakes in the world.
9

Zeya Reservoir

The reservoir is located near the Chinese border in Zeya town, Russia. The lake was created as a result of the creation of the Zeya Dam. The Dam was built in the year 1975. Size wise, the reservoir covers an area of about 2,420 square kilometers and can store water to a capacity of 68 cubic km. The reservoir is so big that recently, a hydro powered plant was setup to generate around 225 megawatts of electric energy.
8

Krasnoyarsk reservoir

Built on the Yenisey River, the reservoir is also located in Russia. It is one of those very few artificial lakes or man-made lakes that is so beautiful that it seems as if nature made this up. This particular reservoir is much older as compared to the Zeya Reservoir. Unlike Zeya, which was built in 1975, the Krasnoyarsk reservoir was established in 1972. The lake is spread over an area of about 2,000 square km and can store up to 73 cubic kilometers. This makes Krasnoyarsk reservoir rank at number 8 on our list of top 10 largest man made lakes in the world.
7

Williston Lake

The lake is as a result of the W.A.C Bennett Dam. Located in Columbia, Canada; the Williston Lake is one of the largest manmade lakes available. The lake build on the Peace River and covers an area of about 251 km long and 155 km wide totaling up to 1,761 square km. Williston Lake can take up to 74 cubic kilometers of water and serves one of the most calm and peaceful environment one can experience.
6

Lake Nasser

So this one is a bit interesting. Even though made by man himself, it is divided in to 2 halves. One being called the Lake Nasser and the other recognized as Lake Nubia. Lake Nasser is located south of Egypt and stands at about 550 km long and 35 km wide. Its entire surface area is at 5,250 square km. Lake Nasser is built on one of the longest rivers in the world i.e. River Nile. The lake was created in 1971 with the creation of the Aswan High Dam. The lake has a capacity of around 132 cubic kilometers.
5

Lake Guri

Located in Bolivar State in Venezuela, the lake was as a result of the creation of the Guri Dam. The Dam opened in 1978 and covers a total of 4,250 square km in terms of surface area. The lake holds about 138 cubic kilometers and makes the Guri reservoir the largest reservoir on the planet earth. Not only this, it makes the lake Guri take a spot at number 5 on our list of top 10 largest man made lakes in the world.

4

Manicouagan Reservoir

The famous Route 389 is the one that leads to Manicouagan reservoir. Located in central of Quebec, the Manicouagan reservoir is the fourth largest manmade lake in the world. The reservoir has a capacity of about 142 cubic kilometers and occupies an estimated 1,942 square km of surface area. It also has a very interesting and unique aerial view that reflects a circular shaped lake.
3

Volta Reservoir

The Volta reservoir is located along the Akosombo Dam, which is found on the Volta River in west east of Ghana. It was first discovered and initiated by the famous geologist Albert Ernest Kitson. When it comes to largest man made lakes, the Volta lake probably is the largest lake in terms of covered surface area. The Dam generates hydroelectric power to the residents. The lake, which officially opened in 1965, has a capacity of about 148 cubic kilometers. This also makes Volta reservoir take a 3rd place on our list of top 10 largest man made lakes in the world.
2

Bratsk Reservoir

This hydroelectric power-generating reservoir occupies a surface area of 5,470 square km and has a capacity of 169 cubic kilometer making it the second largest manmade lake in the world. It is situated near the Angara River and is named after the Bratsk city in Russia.
1

Lake Kariba

The lake is found in the Zambezi River located between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The lake holds up to 180 cubic kilometers of water and has a surface area of 5,400 square kilometers.