Top 10 Largest Reservoirs in the World

Hydrologically, reservoirs provide water storage, flood control, and water supply for the generation of hydroelectricity and irrigation. They are dam-formed substantial water reservoirs that efficiently fulfill the water needs of many nations across the globe. Here we have the best guide for the world’s top 10 largest reservoirs by volume, including essential facts about them, a comparison table, answers to questions on the smallest and largest reservoirs, locations, what they store, etc.

10 largest water reservoirs in the world

1. Lake Volta (Ghana)

Volume: 148.9 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 8,482 km²

Purpose: They generate hydroelectric power, irrigation, and water supply.

Details: Lake Volta is the world’s largest artificial lake, not because of the volume of the water it carries but because of its surface area. It was established in 1965 when the Akosombo Dam on the Volta River was completed. The reservoir is significant in the supply of hydroelectric power to the urban and rural areas of Ghana. It also sustains farming and supplies water for the domestic and industrial sectors. The lake has become a center for the fishers and other tourists in the region.

2. Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe)

Volume: 185 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 5,580 km²

Purpose: Hydroelectrical energy production, water supply

Details: Lake Kariba was formed during the fifties when the Kariba Dam was built across the Zambezi River, which acts as a natural boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is ranked the second-largest artificial lake in terms of volume. The lake, a significant source of hydroelectric power, supplies power to areas beyond the mentioned countries. Also, this lake sustains wildlife and is essential for tourism, especially fishing and boat sporting activities.

3. Manicouagan Reservoir (Canada)

Volume: 140 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 1,942 km²

Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation is one of the most important and recognized kinds of water usage at the present stage.

Details: The Manicouagan Reservoir is interesting to visit mainly because of the impact crater of a meteorite that formed it. The reservoir lies in a circular pattern surrounding the Manicouagan crater, resulting from the impact of the giant asteroid that occurred millions of years ago. It supplies water to a hydroelectric generating station at Manicouagan in Quebec, Canada. This is also a vital area of the local environment as it produces foods such as fish and bird species.

4. Bratsk Reservoir (Russia)

Volume: 169.27 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 5,500 km²

Purpose: Power generation by hydroelectric schemes

Details: The Bratsk Reservoir, with the help of the Bratsk Dam, was constructed on the Angara River in Siberia, the second largest reservoir in Russia. It is vital to the country’s energy generation. It is used to function the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station, which supplies enormous electricity to the industrial areas surrounding it. The reservoir is also used to provide water for irrigation and flood management.

5. Krasnoyarsk Reservoir, (Russia)

Volume: 73.3 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 1,450 km²

Purpose: Hydro-power electric generation, water supply

Details: The Krasnoyarsk Reservoir is associated with constructing the Krasnoyarsk Dam in the Yenisei River. It is situated in Siberia and plays a vital role in water management in the Yenisei River with its hydroelectric power station and for the area’s industrial needs. However, its most important function is flood protection and water management for the proximal city of Krasnoyarsk.

6. Pangdam Reservoir (China)

Volume: 66.7 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 450 km²

Purpose: Thus, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation

Details: Pangdam Reservoir SICHUAN HYDROELECTRIC Power Station, established in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, is one of the primary formed by the dam. It assists in supplying energy needs in the local region through the dry season and offers water for agriculture activities in the neighboring areas. This smaller but vital source provides for regional water storage, critical in managing water balances.

7. Cahora Bassa Reservoir (Mozambique)

Volume: 62.66 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 2,750 km²

Purpose: It includes generating electric power through rivers and water supply.

Details: The Cahora Bassa Reservoir is situated on the Zambezi River bank in Mozambique and was built by the Cahora Bassa Dam. The dam is one of the largest in Africa, and the reservoir provides electricity to Mozambique and the neighboring South Africa. It significantly contributes to the regional economy by generating electricity and supplying water for human consumption. It is also a key input in agriculture, fishing, and tourism.

8. Guri Reservoir (Venezuela)

Volume: 135 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 4,250 km²

Purpose: Although some countries are experimenting with wind, solar, and geothermal energy, hydroelectric power generation is the most mature and cost-effective renewable energy source.

Details: The power plant reservoir based on the Caroní River in Venezuela’s Guri Dam is among the largest in the world. It is essential for electricity provision in the country as it contributes over 50% of Venezuela’s power. The reservoir is, however, used in local water management and is stocked with fish, making it an essential resource in providing fish for industries and fishermen.

9. Three Gorges Reservoir (China)

Volume: 39.3 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 1,084 km²

Purpose: Irrespective of whether the benefits are hydroelectric power generation, flood control, or water supply, the benefits are worth the investment.

Details: The Three Gorges Reservoir on the Yangtze River is the largest hydroelectric power project in the world, the Three Gorges Dam. A principal use of the reservoir is to produce electricity; nonetheless, its primary function is to mitigate flood hazards in the Yangtze River Basin and provide a guaranteed water supply. It has brought numerous environmental and social changes to China, and it has revolutionized the energy industry in China.

10. Odeleite Reservoir (Portugal)

Volume: 13.9 billion cubic meters

Surface Area: 360 km²

Purpose: Water source and also purposes of use such as agriculture.

Details: Odeleite Reservoir is a water reservoir in the southern region of Portugal. It is a standard water supply for irrigation and domestic uses. It is smaller than other large reservoirs in Portugal, although it is considered necessary to irrigate agricultural lands, mainly in the Algarve region.

Comparison Chart

Reservoir	Country	Volume (billion cubic meters)	Surface Area (km²)	Purpose
1. Lake Volta	Ghana	148.9	8,482	Hydroelectric, irrigation
2. Lake Kariba	Zambia/Zimbabwe	185	5,580	Hydroelectric
3. Manicouagan Reservoir	Canada	140	1,942	Hydroelectric
4. Bratsk Reservoir	Russia	169.27	5,500	Hydroelectric
5. Krasnoyarsk Reservoir	Russia	73.3	1,450	Hydroelectric
6. Pangdam Reservoir	China	66.7	450	Hydroelectric
7. Cahora Bassa Reservoir	Mozambique	62.66	2,750	Hydroelectric
8. Guri Reservoir	Venezuela	135	4,250	Hydroelectric
9. Three Gorges Reservoir	China	39.3	1,084	Hydroelectric
10. Odeleite Reservoir	Portugal	13.9	360	Water supply

Conclusion

Large reservoirs are essential in many more aspects than just providing hydraulic power for the operation of hydroelectric dams: they have various functions in world water regimes, can act as significant barriers to floods, and contain ecosystems. Most of these large water reservoirs are in countries with large drainage basins, and each is used for different purposes, from irrigation to hydroelectric power generation. As global demand for water and energy increases, these reservoirs will continue to be central for managing resources.

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