The Kariba Dam, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is considered the largest dam in the world based on its reservoir capacity.
While "biggest" can be defined in various ways—such as structural volume, height, or power generation capacity—the Kariba Dam holds the top position when measured by the sheer volume of water its reservoir can hold.
Understanding "Biggest" in Dams
The term "biggest" can be subjective when discussing dams, as different metrics highlight different aspects of their scale:
- Reservoir Capacity: This refers to the total volume of water a dam's reservoir can store. The Kariba Dam excels in this category.
- Structural Volume: This measures the sheer amount of material (concrete, earth, rock) used to build the dam itself.
- Height: The vertical distance from the dam's base to its crest.
- Power Generation Capacity: The maximum amount of electricity the dam's hydropower plant can produce.
Notable Large Dams Globally
Beyond the Kariba Dam, several other dams are recognized for their immense scale, whether by capacity, size, or power output. Here are some of the world's significant dams:
| Dam Name | Location | Primary Metric (if specified) |
|---|---|---|
| Kariba Dam | Zambia / Zimbabwe | Largest by Reservoir Capacity |
| Rogun Dam | Tajikistan | Known for its height (under construction) |
| Syncrude Tailings Dam | Canada | Largest by structural volume (tailings) |
| Three Gorges Dam | China | Largest by Power Generation Capacity |
| Itaipu Dam | Brazil / Paraguay | Second largest by Power Generation Capacity |
The Kariba Dam's reservoir, Lake Kariba, is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, stretching over 280 kilometers (170 miles) long and up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) wide. Its immense capacity is crucial for water storage, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation for the region.
