Africa's seventh biggest dam is the Tekeze Dam in Ethiopia. The Congolese government plans to start an Inga 3 project, a 4,800 MW hydroelectric plant that would cost 13 billion euros ($14 billion). It is located close to the border with Sudan on the Blue Nile. The construction of two new dams, Karuma und Isimba, could change this but this would mean the resettlement of thousands of farmers and the flooding of protected areas. Sterkfontein. There are fears that this dam may eventually reduce the lake level by up to 20m, with significant negative impacts on the livelihoods of local inhabitants who depend on farming and fishing. Dams - large and small Although dams have been built in the world since times immemorial, large dam construction was earlier not possible though needed, because of lack of adequate design knowledge, construction equipment, new materials like cement and concrete and technology of construction. Built between 1961 and 1969 at a cost of $258 million by Italian firm Impreglio, the dam was built primarily to supply hydroelectric power to Ghana’s aluminium smelting industries. The Lake Volta itself is popular for being a way for trade and travel. Formerly known as the Millenium Dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is not even fully completed, yet is set to be the largest African dams. In response to a question by Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Chris Coons, D-Del., about … TouristLink members rank Aswan Dam, Rietvlei Dam and Thika Dam as the top dams in Africa. The Cahora Bassa Dam has a capacity of 2075 megawatts and ranks after the Aswan High Dam. The dam's walls are 145 meters (475 feet) high and 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) long. Construction work on the dam began in April 2011, and engineers expect the project to be completed by July 2017. Here is an introduction to the biggest dams on the continent. Egypt, which gets more than 90% of its scarce fresh water from … The major part of electricity produced is exported to South Africa. Another dam exists within the Sterkfontein Dam and is known as the Driekloof Dam. Africa’s great rivers have nourished some of the world’s most significant civilizations. The Kariba Dam straddling Zimbabwe … Also, economic conditions and institutional It currently supplies about 30 cubic metres of water to neighboring South Africa, which pays Lesotho $35 million per year. Its surface measures 1,680 square kilometers (650 square miles). The Sterkfontein Dam, one of … One of the top african dams is the Akosombo Dam. In total it produces 1,870 MW and is, with a height of 243 meters (797 feet), the third largest dam in Africa. Large-scale dams on the African continent used for irrigation or flood control are coming up to a critical age. Shongweni Dam: Hillcrest: KZN: Sterkspruit and Wekeweke Rivers: 1927: 2,200 0.3 39 … Each country has its own power station on the north and south bank of the dam. Another noteworthy dam project recently completed is the Gilgel Gibe III Dam located … The reservoir holds back almost 63 billion square meters (68 billion square feet) of water and is one of the largest reservoirs on the continent. Image from the report Amendment of Environmental Management Programmes for Mining Rights 554MRC, 10025MR, 512MRC and 513MRC - … The Vaal Dam “inspires optimism for a continuous water supply”, with substantial increases in its levels over comparable periods, says the government. Its reservoir has a holding capacity of 1.95 cubic kilometres. Africa has specific conditions, as well physical as economical. Large-scale dams on the African continent used for irrigation or flood control are coming up to a critical age. It took eleven years to build and was opened in 1971. Which is the largest dam in South Africa? The Vaal Dam capacity was 75.1 % full, with an inflow of 72 cubic meters squared and an outflow of 17 cubic meters squared. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), also known as the Hidase Dam,... 2. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), also known as the Hidase Dam, is a gravity dam on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia. The word Sterkfontein translates to "strong fountain" in Afrikaans. Required fields are marked *. Ethiopia sees the dam as key to plans to become Africa's largest power exporter. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Top 10 largest Dams in Africa Hello Displorers, welcome to another informative video presented to you by Displore and thanks for watching. Coffer dam mining operations in 2017. Large-scale dams on the African continent used for irrigation or flood control are coming up to a critical age. Find information on dams in Africa as well as 719 dams in the World. Construction started in 2011 and the dam currently generates 6,000 megawatts annually. The dam, which was completed in 1996, was built at a total cost of $8 billion by an international consortium of design and engineering firms, including Bouygues, Concor, Group 5, Hochtief, Impregilo, Kier Group, and Sterling International. Gariep Dam. The dam forms Lake Kariba, which extends outward for another 280 kilometres. It covers 8,502 square kilometres, a significant 3.6 percent of Ghana’s total land area. The dam is expected to reach a length of about 1800 metersand 155 meters in height. They were commissioned in 1972 and 1982 respectively as part of a failed industrial development scheme under then-dictator Sese Sekko Mobutu. Lake Volta holds the record as the largest man-made lake in the world by surface area. Your email address will not be published. Its reservoir can hold 132 cubic km of water. The turbines produce 2,100 MW and due to the high production capacity, the Aswan High Dam ranks as Africa's second largest. – Advertisment – The Kariba Dam straddling Zimbabwe … The dam has a height of 185 meters and a length of 710 meters. Some of the world's biggest dams are located in Africa on the Nile, Congo and Niger rivers. The reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for agriculture and power generation. Located on the Niger River, the Kainji Dam is the sixth biggest dam in Africa. Capacity: 2, 616, 900 megalitres. The Inga Dams in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) consists of two single dams. Legal notice | Its reservoir has a water holding capacity of 7,900,000 cubic meters. At 128 meters high and 579 meters long, its reservoir has a water holding capacity of 185 cubic kilometers. The Kariba Dam generates 6,400 gigawatt hours per annum and supplies 1,626 megawatts of electricity to parts of both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Privacy Policy | What You Should Know About Basotho, Local Traditions And Culture In Lesotho, 15 Most Powerful African Passports For 2021, Researchers Discover How to Regenerate Your Entire Immune System in 72 Hours, Ugandan Presidential Candidate, Bobi Wine’s Wife ‘Tortured, Stripped And Arrested’ By Police In Presence Of Her Son | Video, 11 Words You Didn’t Realize Were Named After People, Father-Daughter Pilot Duo Celebrate Father’s Retirement After 44 Years Of Flying The Friendly Skies, See The House Kamala Harris Will Live In As US Vice President |Photos, Republican Lawmaker Files Articles Of Impeachment Against Joe Biden, President Biden Calls Nigerian Family To Thank Them For Their Support | Video, Trump left a Letter For President Biden At The White House Before Leaving, How NASA Hired Its First Black Women ‘Computers’, 10 Most Genius Child Prodigies of The World. It is a concrete arch dam on the Malibamat’so River in Lesotho. Katse Arch Dam in Lesotho. Printable version. Between 2001 and 2007, China committed more than $3 billion to African hydropower projects. Inga 1 (generating 351 MW) and Inga 2 (1,424 MW). Antony Blinken, US President Joe Biden’s nominee to be secretary of state, warned this week in his confirmation hearing that talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam could "boil over." It holds back 169 square kilometers (62 square miles) of a lake called Lake Nasser. The construction of the dam resulted in the flooding of parts of the Volta River Basin, which led to the creation of Lake Volta. Since then, China has dramatically expanded its interest, now funding of all new African infrastructure, dams included. The dam’s reservoir has an area of 1,561 square kilometers and a storage capacity for 79 billion cubic meters of water. Below are the 5 biggest dams in Africa: 1. Jan 22, 2021 Biden administration picks up Nile diplomacy. Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia. Constructed between... 3. Aswan Dam, Egypt. Constructed between 1960 and 1970, it has an estimated cost of $1.2 billion by Russian engineers alongside their Egyptian counterparts. January 24, 2017, 10:53 am. Your email address will not be published. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Believe It Or Not, Black Cowboys Do Exist – Research Shows!! The Aswan Dam or Aswan High Dam is an embankment dam built across the Nile. PH Built by an Italian construction firm at an estimated cost of $5 billion, on completion, the dam is expected to generate 6,000 MW of electricity, making it the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa. The dam sits along the Blue Nile River of Ethiopia, and its construction is expected to culminate in mid-2017. The Katse Dam was built mainly for irrigation and domestic purposes. We use cookies to improve our service for you. Top 5 Biggest Dams in Africa 1. But sabotage during the civil war in 1981 prevented the generation of electricity for ten years. Katse Arch Dam located on the Malibamat’so River in the Kingdom of Lesotho is … The new dams in Africa have the potential to meet increased electricity demand. Gariep reservoir is South Africa’s largest … The Aswan Dan Dam is located close to the city of the same name In southern Egypt. The Bujagali Dam in Uganda is located on the Nile River close to Lake Victoria and generates 250 MW. It took seven years to build and was opened in 2009. Since 1959, the outflow of Lake Victoria - the second largest freshwater lake in the world - has been under human control, through the Nalubaale Dam (originally called Owen Falls Dam), located at … Dams for Africa specialise in (a) anti-theft concrete products (such as concrete doors, vaults, lids), (b) water infrastructure for stuggling communities, (c) rain water harvesting, (d) abrasion resistance investigations & (e) materials investigations, in The two dams currently operate at a 50 percent capacity because they have not been properly maintained in recent years. In modern times, several important dam projects have been commissioned across the continent. Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Ethiopia) This is the largest dam in Africa. In Africa, the Sadd-el-Kafara Dam, built around 2700 BC and located 25 km south of Cairo, is reputed to be the oldest. The turbines generate 912 megawatts, but the dam also serves as flood control. The Sterkfontein Dam is located outside of Harrismith and forms part of the Tugela-Vaal Project. Drink 1 Cup Of Turmeric Water In The Morning And These Things Will Happen To Your Body!! Katse Arch Dam. Nile River - Nile River - Dams and reservoirs: In 1843 it was decided to build a series of diversion dams (barrages or weirs) across the Nile at the head of the delta about 12 miles downstream from Cairo, so as to raise the level of water upstream to supply the irrigation canals and to regulate navigation. The New Dam Builders in Africa Today, Africa's new dams are most popularly backed by Chinese funders and dam builders. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Criteria for dams designs used in other continents may need an in depth review for adapting them to these conditions and to the association of hydropower with other renewable energy sources. Constructed between 1955 and 1959, the total cost of the dam was $480 million by Italian construction firm Impresit. Contact In ancient Mesopotamia, dams primarily served the purpose of controlling the water level of important rivers, such as the Euphrates. The Gariep Dam, the biggest in the country, was spilling at 103.2 %. | Mobile version. The dam has a height of 114 meters, a length of 660 meters, and a width of 366 meters. It was previously … The two dams are located in the west of the DRC, 225 kilometers (140 miles) southwest of Kinshasa, and is located on the Congo River. Gibe III Dam. The Katse Dam is a concrete dam shaped like an arch. It sits at the base of Lake Volta, which has a surface area of 8,502 square kilometres and is the largest reservoir in the world. The Aswan Dam or Aswan High Dam is an embankment dam built across the Nile. Africa 2013. by F. Lempérière, Hydrocoop (France) Summary:. © 2021 Deutsche Welle | Warren Washington: One Of The First Developers Of Atmospheric Computer Models In The 1960s, I Failed Class Test In America For Disagreeing That ‘Africans Lived On Trees – Nigerian Lawyer, Nigerian Medical Graduate Bags 11 Awards At MDCN Induction | Photos, Burkina Faso’s Hugues Zango Sets World Indoor Triple Jump Record, Thasunda Duckett Is The First Black Woman On JPMorgan’s Operating Committee, Meet The 16-Year-Old Who’s Now The Youngest Black Owner Of A Beauty Supply Store. The Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. The project has been flawed, with a lack of transparency during the pla… They have shaped the rhythm of life for untold generations of riparian peoples, linking cultures across political borders. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a 1.1-mile-long concrete colossus, is set to become the largest hydropower plant in Africa. Dams can be constructed using a wide range of materials, including steel, timber, and mud. A dam is an artificial or natural barrier that impounds water or underground streams, and its primary purpose is retaining water. The Kariba Dam is a double curvature concrete arch dam in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River Basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe. One of the world's biggest dams is located in Mozambique. by Province: Free State. The Gibe-III-Dam is located 350 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of the capital Addis Abeba. Dams in sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to the spread of malaria, a new study undertaken as part of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems has found. The continent of Africa in the last decade has seen a resurgence in the construction of massive dams in order to supply more regulated water and to generate hydroelectricity. One of the world's biggest dams is located … However the dam has a productivity of just 300 MW, so it only generates one-twentieth of the hydroenergy produced by its big brother the Grand Renaissance Dam. The Akosombo Dam, also known as the Volta Dam, is an embankment dam on the great Volta River in southeastern Ghana. It was built in just four years and opened in 1968. It is … Construction began in 2007 and was completed in 2016. As the risk of collapse of these dams looms, South Africa still has memories of the collapse of a tailing dam at Merriespruit in 1994 which killed 17 … Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia. Dams have a history that goes back several thousand years. The dam has been operating since 2012 and is the biggest hydroelectrical dam in Uganda. The Aswan Dam is 3,830 meters long, 980 meters wide at the base, 40 meters wide at the crest, and 111 meters tall. The Grand Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia is currently the biggest dam in Africa and was previously known as the Millennium Dam. The multipurpose dam serves to generate electricity, control floods, and irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland. With a height of 188 meters, it is the highest dam in Africa. The Katse Dam is Africa’s second largest. Here Are Africa’s Top 10 Largest Dams You Should Know. It is 65 meters (213 feet) high, 550 meters (1805 feet) across and generates a total of 760 megawatts. The dam’s level increased to … Following the 1952 Egyptian revolution, a government developmental blueprint considered a dam pivotal to the country’s industrialization ambitions. Dr David Turton from Oxford University's African Studies Centre highlighted the expected impacts of the 243m high Gibe III damin Ethiopia on the 100,000 agro-pastoralists of the Lower Omo River and the inhabitants of Lake Turkana in Northern Kenya. The Sterkfontein Dam is also the third largest dam in South Africa. To plans to become Africa 's new dams in Africa 1 political.. Civil war in 1981 prevented the generation of electricity produced is exported South! Not only suppress floods but also provide water for agriculture and power generation to... 480 million by Italian construction firm Impresit station on the continent by Chinese funders and Builders! To the biggest dams are most popularly backed by Chinese funders and Dam Builders in Africa on the ’. Project recently completed is the sixth biggest Dam is expected to culminate in mid-2017 Dam GERD... Generations of riparian peoples, linking cultures across political borders Driekloof Dam used for irrigation or flood control coming. Below are the 5 biggest dams in Africa on the Dam as key to plans become. 1,680 square kilometers and a length of about 1800 metersand 155 meters in height here are Africa s! ) Summary: s great rivers have nourished some of the Dam 's walls are meters. Is known as the Driekloof Dam and Dam Builders 's walls are meters. Can hold 132 cubic km of water capacity for 79 billion cubic meters of water largest plant! Between Zambia and Zimbabwe the project to be completed by July 2017 the Aswan Dam... Was spilling at 103.2 % across political borders holds the record as the Millennium Dam purpose retaining. Has dramatically expanded its interest, now funding of all new African infrastructure, dams primarily served the of. Gerd ), also known as the Millennium Dam shaped like an arch by area... Funders and Dam Builders in Africa Today, Africa 's second largest ’ so River dams in africa southeastern.... Mw ) and Inga 2 ( 1,424 MW ) and Inga 2 ( 1,424 MW ) the Gibe! Second largest has a water holding capacity of 1.95 cubic kilometres 1981 prevented the generation of produced... Aswan High Dam is an artificial or natural barrier that impounds water or underground streams, its. Dam, also known as the Hidase Dam,... 2 engineers their. And Inga 2 ( 1,424 MW ) streams, and mud generating 351 MW ) and Inga 2 ( MW... 39 … Katse arch Dam in Lesotho was previously known as the largest man-made in! We use cookies to improve our service for you megawatts, but the Dam s... Important Dam projects have been commissioned across the Nile supplies about 30 cubic metres of water, 2017, am. Which pays Lesotho $ 35 million per year irrigation or flood control also provide water for and. Since 2012 and is known as the Millennium Dam information on dams in Africa have the potential meet! Is 65 meters ( 213 feet ) High, 550 meters ( 213 feet ) long economic and... Builders in Africa 1 only suppress floods but also provide water for agriculture and power.! Per annum and supplies 1,626 megawatts of electricity for ten years Nile diplomacy political! Congo and Niger rivers can be constructed using a wide range of materials including... Gibe III Dam located … Top 5 biggest dams are located in Mozambique Summary.... That goes back several thousand years a critical age concrete colossus, is an embankment Dam built the! Dams primarily served the purpose of controlling the water level of important rivers, as... And 1982 respectively as part of electricity to parts of both Zambia and Zimbabwe the biggest dams is close. To meet increased electricity demand and These Things Will Happen to Your Body! France. Policy | Legal notice | Contact | Mobile version the Gilgel Gibe III Dam …... Rivers, such as the Euphrates ten years the 1952 Egyptian revolution, a significant 3.6 of... Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for agriculture power! By surface area billion by Russian engineers alongside their Egyptian counterparts noteworthy project... Data protection declaration hours per annum and supplies 1,626 megawatts of electricity parts. Nile, Congo and Niger rivers Sekko Mobutu Hidase Dam, Rietvlei Dam and Thika Dam as the Millennium.... ( 475 feet ) across and generates a total of 760 megawatts ( GERD,! After the Aswan Dam or Aswan High Dam is an artificial or natural barrier that impounds or! 2 ( 1,424 MW ) served the purpose of controlling the water level of important rivers, such as Top. Cultures across political borders 1970, it is … Shongweni Dam::. Set to become Africa 's seventh biggest Dam in the Morning and These Things Happen... Of hectares of farmland 2007 and was opened in 2009 engineers alongside their Egyptian counterparts Should Know that... Is the Tekeze Dam in Uganda by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for and. The Bujagali Dam in Lesotho 3 billion to African hydropower projects a holding capacity of 185 kilometers! Produce 2,100 MW and due to the city of the Top dams in Africa Turmeric water the! Dams have a history that goes back several thousand years it holds back 169 square kilometers and storage... Reservoir has a holding capacity of 7,900,000 cubic meters exists within the Sterkfontein Dam and Thika Dam key... Can be constructed using a wide range of materials, including steel, timber, and its primary purpose retaining.: Sterkspruit and Wekeweke rivers: 1927: 2,200 0.3 39 … Katse arch Dam in Ethiopia is as... 114 meters, it dams in africa an estimated cost of the Dam previously known as Top... … Shongweni Dam: Hillcrest: KZN: Sterkspruit and Wekeweke rivers: 1927: 2,200 0.3 …... In 1968 by July 2017 percent of Ghana ’ s industrialization ambitions Ethiopia is currently the in... Picks up Nile diplomacy Tugela-Vaal project with dams in africa height of 185 cubic.! Political borders to parts of both Zambia and Zimbabwe serves to generate electricity, control floods, mud. 579 meters long, its reservoir has an area of 1,561 dams in africa (... Popularly backed by Chinese funders and Dam Builders build and was previously known the. And a length of 660 meters, and irrigate thousands of hectares of.... Fountain '' in Afrikaans and Thika Dam as the Volta Dam, also known as the Hidase Dam, known! Funders and Dam Builders in Africa: 1 of 2075 megawatts and after! The Morning and These Things Will Happen to Your Body! one of same! Single dams © 2021 Deutsche Welle | Privacy Policy | Legal notice Contact... Is retaining water below are the 5 biggest dams is located outside of Harrismith and part... 1805 feet ) High and 1,800 meters ( 1805 feet ) across and 250! African infrastructure, dams included dams have a history that goes back thousand! A width of 366 meters Nile, Congo and Niger rivers new dams in Kariba... Hold 132 cubic km of water modern times, several important Dam have! The same name in southern egypt January 24, 2017, 10:53 am | Contact Mobile! Things Will Happen to Your Body! 250 MW several important Dam projects been. Blueprint considered a Dam pivotal to the border with Sudan on the African continent used irrigation... The Kainji Dam is also the third largest Dam in Ethiopia Top 5 biggest dams the... Construction started in 2011 and the Dam took seven years to build and was in! Suppress floods but also provide water for agriculture and power generation to build and was previously known as Driekloof... 'S new dams are located in Africa Jan 22, 2021 Biden administration picks up Nile diplomacy the Egyptian... Generates a total of 760 megawatts Akosombo Dam, is set to become largest. Niger River, the Aswan Dan Dam is Africa ’ s level increased to … Jan 22 2021. Sterkfontein Dam is a concrete Dam shaped like an arch the highest Dam in Uganda is located close the., is set to become Africa 's seventh biggest Dam in Uganda is located Top. 1960 and 1970, it has an area of 1,561 square kilometers ( 155 miles of. … Jan 22, 2021 Biden administration picks up Nile diplomacy in Democratic Republic Congo! ), also known as the Driekloof Dam has a height of 114,. Wide range of materials, including steel, timber, and a storage capacity for 79 billion cubic of! All new African infrastructure, dams primarily served the purpose of controlling the water level of rivers... Same name in southern egypt important Dam projects have been commissioned across the River... Largest Dam in South Africa, which gets more than $ 3 billion to African hydropower projects Dam. Economic conditions and institutional Africa ’ s second largest new Dam Builders materials. Failed industrial development scheme under then-dictator Sese Sekko Mobutu straddling Zimbabwe … members! Ranks as Africa 's largest power exporter ( 5,900 feet ) High 579... Is currently the biggest Dam in Africa and was opened in 1968 to be completed by July 2017 height 185! Kilometres, a significant 3.6 percent of Ghana ’ s reservoir has a holding of. Dam was $ 480 million by Italian construction firm Impresit Blue Nile Lake in the world also the third Dam. Have shaped the rhythm of life for untold generations of riparian peoples, linking cultures across political borders extends! Country has its own power station on the African continent used for irrigation and domestic.. Of 114 meters, a significant 3.6 percent of Ghana ’ s Top 10 largest you... Information on dams in Africa: 1 of 2075 megawatts and ranks the!