Major Dams of Africa

Major dams that are found in Africa are important for harnessing the continent's water resources. Dams like the Aswan High Dam, Kariba Dam, and Akosombo Dam control river flows, supply electricity, and aid in irrigation for agriculture. These infrastructure initiatives help their respective regions' economies, water supplies, and sustainable energy production.

They serve as a reminder of Africa's dedication to utilizing its natural riches for the good of its citizens and the environment.

Features of Major Dams of Africa

Here are the descriptions about major dams of Africa −

The Aswan High Dam

• It was founded in 1980s.

• One of the largest embankment dams in the world, the Aswan High Dam spans the Nile at Aswan, Egypt, and was constructed between 1960 and 1970.

• The dam is 3,830 meters (12,562 feet) long, 111 meters (364 feet) high, and has a volume of 44,300,000 cubic meters (57,940,000 cubic yards).

• It fills Lake Nasser, a reservoir with a gross volume of 169 billion cubic meters (5.97 trillion cubic feet).

• According to a contract between Egypt and Sudan, 74 billion cubic meters (2.6 trillion cubic feet) of the Nile's yearly discharge total have been divided between the two countries, with around 55.5 billion cubic metres (1.96 trillion cubic feet) going to Egypt and the rest going to Sudan.

Kariba Dam

• In the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Kariba Dam is a double-curvature concrete arch dam.

• The dam is 579 meters (1,900 feet) long and 128 meters (420 feet) height. The dam creates Lake Kariba, which has a length of 280 km (170 mi) and a volume of 185 km³ (150,000,000 acre-ft) of water.

• The Kariba Dam generates 6,400 gigawatt-hours (23,000 TJ) of electricity annually and provides 1,626 megawatts (2,181,000 hp) of power to areas of Zambia (the Copperbelt) and Zimbabwe.

Akosombo Dam

• The Volta Dam was another name for the Akosombo Dam.

• 3.6% of Ghana's total land area, or 8,502 square kilometres (3,283 sq mi), is taken up by it.

• It is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River that is a component of the Volta River Authority and is located in the Akosombo gorge in southeast Ghana.

• The Akosombo Dam was built primarily to supply electricity to the aluminium industry.

• The Akosombo Dam was referred to as "the single largest investment in Ghana's economic development plans."

Gilgel Gibe III Dam

• It is situated in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, about 62 kilometres (39 mi) west of Sodo.

• On the Omo River in Ethiopia, the Gilgel Gibe III Dam is a 250m-high roller-compacted concrete dam with a connected hydroelectric power station.

• The US$1.8 billion project started in 2006, and power production started in October 2015.

• It will be the third-largest hydroelectric plant in Africa once completely operational, producing roughly 1870 Megawatts (MW), more than doubling Ethiopia's total installed capacity from its 2007 level of 814 MW.

Bloemhof Dam

• When Bloemhof Dam was first being built in the late 1960s, it was known as the Oppermansdrif Dam.

• Bloemhof Dam is situated in South Africa.

• On the dividing line between the provinces of North West and Free State, it lies between the Vaal River and the Vet River converge.

• The dam wall is 4,270 meters (14,010 feet) long in total. It is very shallow in the reservoir.

• The dam has 1,269,000,000 cubic meter capacity.It was established in 1970.

De Hoop Dam

• Near Burgersfort, Limpopo, South Africa, on the Steelpoort River is a gravity dam called the De Hoop Dam.

• Due to issues with the supply chain, technical and equipment issues, incomplete environmental impact studies, the relocation of local communities, and labour strikes, the dam's completion was delayed by four years (from 2010 to 2014).

• Its main goals are to bring water to towns, businesses, and communities in the Sekhukhune district, where service delivery was subpar, and to facilitate the extraction of abundant mineral reserves in the eastern Limpopo province.

Gariep Dam

• The dam is located on the Orange River, 208 kilometres (129 miles) south of Bloemfontein and 48 kilometres (30 miles) northeast of Colesberg.

• The Free State and Eastern Cape provinces' borders are shared by the Gariep Dam, which is situated in South Africa close to the town of Norvalspont.

• When the Gariep Dam was first built in 1971 and put into operation, it was given the name Hendrik Verwoerd Dam in honour of Hendrik Verwoerd, who served as prime minister from May 31, 1961, when the Union of South Africa became the Republic of South Africa, to May 31, 1961.

• Its main uses are for power production, household and industrial consumption, and irrigation.

Greater Brandvlei Dam

• An earth-fill type dam known as Greater Brandvlei Dam is situated on a Breede River tributary close to Worcester in the Western Cape of South Africa.

• After being rebuilt in 1989, it was created by linking the original Brandvlei Dam (Lake Marais) and the Kwaggaskloof Dam.

• The dam's primary usage is for irrigation, and experts have rated it as having a high risk of disaster.

Katse Dam

• The second-largest double-curvature arch dam in Africa is the Katse Dam, a concrete structure on the Malibamat'so River in Lesotho.

• The dam was finished in 1996, and water began to fill the reservoir in 1997. The project has a $8 billion total cost.

• The Lesotho Highlands Water Project, which will eventually contain five sizable dams in outlying rural areas, includes the dam as one of its components.

• The Bokong River confluence, which creates the western arm of the Katse reservoir, is immediately below the dam.

List of Major Dams of Africa

Here's a table showcasing major dams in Africa and their locations −

Dam	Location
The Awan High Dam	Egypt
Kariba Dam	Zimbabwe/Zambia
Akosombo Dam	Ghana
Gilgel Gibe III Dam	Ethiopia
Bloemhof Dam	South Africa
De Hoop Dam	South Africa
Gariep Dam	South Africa/Lesotho
Greater Brandvlei Dam	South Africa
Katse Dam	Lesotho
Brandvlei Dam	South Africa

Conclusion

Major dams that are found in Africa have important roles in the production of electricity, irrigation, and water management. One of the biggest embankment dams in the world, the Aswan High Dam in Egypt controls the flow of the Nile River and generates energy. Lake Kariba is created by the Kariba Dam, which is situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Akosombo Dam in Ghana, the Gilgel Gibe III Dam in Ethiopia, and the Gariep Dam in South Africa are further noteworthy dams. These dams highlight the significance of hydroelectric infrastructure in Africa by contributing to economic growth, water supply, and sustainable energy production in their respective regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of the Aswan High Dam?

The Aswan High Dam serves the purposes of flood control, irrigation, and power generation. It regulates the flow of the Nile River, provides water for agriculture, and generates electricity.

How much electricity does the Kariba Dam generate?

The Kariba Dam generates approximately 6,400 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, providing power to regions in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Why was the Akosombo Dam built in Ghana?

The Akosombo Dam was primarily constructed to supply electricity to Ghana's aluminium industry and is considered a significant investment in the country's economic development.

Where is the Gilgel Gibe III Dam located, and what is its capacity?

The Gilgel Gibe III Dam is located in Ethiopia and is a hydroelectric power plant. Once fully operational, it will have a capacity to generate approximately 1,870 megawatts of electricity.

What are the main uses of the Gariep Dam in South Africa?

The Gariep Dam is primarily used for power production, household and industrial consumption, and irrigation purposes in the Free State and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa.