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Dams have played a critical role in shaping the landscape and supporting human life for centuries. In Asia, where water is a scarce resource, dams have been built to provide irrigation, power, and mitigate floods. In this article, we will explore the top 10 largest dams in Asia, their history, their size, where their water is coming from, and their structure volume.
1. Three Gorges Dam, China
The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydroelectric dam in Asia and the world. It is located on the Yangtze River in China and was completed in 2012. The dam is 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, and has a maximum capacity of 22,500 MW. The reservoir it creates is over 660 km long and can hold up to 39.3 billion cubic meters of water. The dam provides power to millions of homes in China, and it also serves as a flood control mechanism for the Yangtze River.
2. Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay
Although the Itaipu Dam is located in South America, it deserves a place on this list because of its scale and impact. The dam is located on the Paraná River on the border between Brazil and Paraguay and was completed in 1984. The Itaipu Dam is 7,919 meters long, 196 meters high, and can generate up to 14,000 MW. The reservoir it creates covers an area of 1,350 square kilometers and can hold up to 29.3 billion cubic meters of water.
3. Aksai Chin Dam, China
The Aksai Chin Dam is located in the western part of China, on the Karakash River. It was completed in 2009 and is considered one of the world’s largest gravity dams. The dam is 280 meters high and 1,550 meters long, providing power to the Xinjiang region of China. The reservoir created by the dam can hold up to 10.2 billion cubic meters of water.
4. Bakun Dam, Malaysia
The Bakun Dam is located in the Sarawak region of Malaysia and was completed in 2011. The dam is 205 meters high and 2,800 meters long. It creates a reservoir that covers an area of almost 70,000 hectares and can hold up to 16.0 billion cubic meters of water. The dam provides power to Malaysia and neighboring countries, and it has been praised for its innovative construction process that minimized its environmental impact.
5. Xiaolangdi Dam, China
The Xiaolangdi Dam is located on the Yellow River in China and was completed in 2001. The dam is 154 meters high and 1,317 meters long, and it can generate up to 1,836 MW. The reservoir created by the dam can hold up to 12.7 billion cubic meters of water. The dam serves multiple purposes, such as flood control and irrigation, and it has become a popular tourist attraction in China.
6. Mangla Dam, Pakistan
The Mangla Dam is located in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region of Pakistan. The dam was completed in 1967 and was expanded in 2009. The Mangla Dam is 147 meters high and 3,140 meters long, and it can generate up to 1,000 MW. The reservoir created by the dam can hold up to 7.4 billion cubic meters of water, making it the second-largest reservoir in Pakistan.
7. Bhakra Dam, India
The Bhakra Dam is located on the Sutlej River in the northern part of India. It was completed in 1963 and is considered one of the highest gravity dams in the world. The Bhakra Dam is 226 meters high and 518 meters long, and it can generate up to 1,325 MW. The reservoir created by the dam can hold up to 9.34 billion cubic meters of water. The dam helps irrigate one of India’s most fertile regions and generates power for millions of homes.
8. Nurek Dam, Tajikistan
The Nurek Dam is located on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan and was completed in 1980. The dam is 300 meters high and 700 meters long, and it can generate up to 3,000 MW. The reservoir created by the dam can hold up to 10.5 billion cubic meters of water, making it one of the largest in Asia. The Nurek Dam is essential to Tajikistan’s economy, as it provides irrigation, power, and flood control.
9. Guri Dam, Venezuela
The Guri Dam is located in Venezuela and was completed in 1986. The dam is 162 meters high and 7,426 meters long, and it can generate up to 10,200 MW. The reservoir created by the dam covers an area of 4,200 square kilometers and can hold up to 135 billion cubic meters of water.
10. Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Pakistan
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a multipurpose dam currently under construction in Pakistan. When completed, it will be one of the largest dams in the world, with a height of 272 meters and a length of 4,500 meters. The dam will have a capacity of 4,500 MW and will generate power for millions of homes. The reservoir created by the dam will cover an area of 110 km and will help mitigate floods in the region.
In conclusion, dams have been critical to Asia’s development, providing power, irrigation, and flood control. The top 10 largest dams in Asia remain testimony to the continent’s engineering prowess and ambition, providing essential services to millions of people.