List of the largest reservoirs on earth

The list of the largest reservoirs in the world shows a selection of the largest reservoirs in the world in terms of area and volume with information on the average depth, which is calculated from volume divided by area.

A reservoir is defined as an artificially created water reservoir that is located in a valley behind a barrier structure. Absperrbauwerke to a dam , a dam or a weir to be.

In the list “Largest reservoirs in the world” only reservoirs with an area of ​​over 100  square kilometers (km²) or a volume of more than 1  cubic kilometer (km³) are recorded. Therefore, a list of the largest reservoirs in Germany , Austria and Switzerland is given below, with the three largest reservoirs in terms of area and volume.

The tables sorted in descending order by area in the initial view can be sorted differently by clicking on the symbols in the column headings. The value in bold for each column area , volume and depth indicates the maximum.

Largest reservoirs on earth

The following list contains reservoirs with an area of ​​over 100  km² or a volume of over 1 km³ (= 1,000 million  m³ ). The Volta reservoir is the largest reservoir in area that is not built on a natural lake.

Reservoir	Area (max.) In km²	Volume (max.) In million m³	Depth (Ø) in m	State / s	Continent	Flowing waters
Reservoir of Lake Victoria	68,870	204,800	003.0	Tanzania , Uganda , Kenya	Africa	Nile
Verkhneswirskaya ( Lake Onega )	09,950	017,500	001.8	Russia	Europe	Swir
Volta reservoir	08,482	153,000	018.0	Ghana	Africa	Volta
Kuibyshev reservoir	06,450	058,000	009.0	Russia	Europe	Volga
Smallwood Reservoir	05,698	028,500	005.0	Canada	North America	Churchill
Reindeer Lake (Whitesand Dam)	05,658	017,900	003.2	Canada	North America	Reindeer River / Churchill River
Kariba dam	05,580	180,600	032.4	Zimbabwe , Zambia	Africa	Zambezi
Buchtarma reservoir	05,490	049,800	009.1	Kazakhstan	Asia	Irtysh
Bratsker Reservoir	05,426	169.270	031.2	Russia	Asia	Angara
Lake Nasser (Aswan)	05,248	165,000	031.4	Egypt , Sudan	Africa	Nile
Rybinsk Reservoir	04,580	025,400	005.5	Russia	Europe	Volga
Caniapiscau Reservoir	04,318	053,790	012.5	Canada	North America	Caniapiscau
Guri reservoir	04,250	138,000	032.5	Venezuela	South America	Caroni
Sobradinho reservoir	04.214	034,100	008.1	Brazil	South America	Sao Francisco
Volgograd reservoir	03.117	031,500	010.1	Russia	Europe	Volga
Reservoir of Lake Tana	03,000	010,500	003.0	Ethiopia	Africa	Blue Nile
Tucuruí reservoir	02,875	045,800	015.9	Brazil	South America	Tocantins
Robert-Bourassa Reservoir	02,835	061,700	021.8	Canada	North America	La Grande
Cahora Bassa dam	02,800	065,000	023.2	Mozambique	Africa	Zambezi
Zimljansk reservoir	02,700	023,900	008.9	Russia	Europe	Don
Nizhnekamsk reservoir	02,580	045,000	017.4	Russia	Europe	Kama
La Grande Reservoir 3	02,420	060.020	023.7	Canada	North America	La Grande
Seja reservoir	02,419	068,400	028.3	Russia	Asia	Seja
Balbina reservoir	02,360	017,540	007.4	Brazil	South America	Rio Uatumã
Sanmenxia reservoir	02,350	035,400	015.1	People's Republic of China	Asia	Huang He
Viljui reservoir	02,360	040,400	017.1	Russia	Asia	Wiljui
Cheboksarsk reservoir	02,274	013,800	006.1	Russia	Europe	Volga
Kremenchuk reservoir	02,252	013,500	006.0	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Porto Primavera	02,250	020,000	008.9	Brazil	South America	Paraná
Chantaika reservoir	02,230	024,540	011.0	Russia	Asia	Chantaika
Kachowka Reservoir	02,155	018,200	008.4	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Krasnoyarsk Reservoir	02.130	073,300	034.4	Russia	Asia	Yenisei
Tharthar lake	02,000	072,800	036.4	Iraq	Asia	Tigris
Hongze Lake	01,960	013,500	006.9	People's Republic of China	Asia	Huai He
Manicouagan Reservoir	01,942	141,852	073.0	Canada	North America	Manicouagan
Kamastausee	01.915	012,200	006.4	Russia	Europe	Kama
Kossoustausee	01,898	027,675	014.6	Ivory Coast	Africa	White bandama
Ust-Ilimsk reservoir	01,873	059,300	031.7	Russia	Asia	Angara
Razzaza lake	01,850	026,000	014.1	Iraq	Asia	Euphrates
Qapshaghai Dam	01,847	028,100	015.2	Kazakhstan	Asia	Ili
Saratov reservoir	01,831	012,900	007.0	Russia	Europe	Volga
Boa Esperança Reservoir	01,800	005,000	002.8	Brazil	South America	Parnaíba
Serra da Mesa	01,784	054,400	030.5	Brazil	South America	Tocantins
Williston Lake	01,761	070,309	039.9	Canada	North America	Peace
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance (under construction)	01,680	063,000	037.5	Ethiopia	Africa	Blue Nile
Lake Powell	01,627	033,304	020.5	United States	North America	Colorado
Yacyretá	01,600	021,000	013.1	Argentina , Paraguay	South America	Paraná
Gorkier Reservoir	01,590	008,700	005.5	Russia	Europe	Volga
Gouin reservoir	01,570	008,243	005.3	Canada	North America	Saint-Maurice
Brokopondo Reservoir (Blommestein Lake)	01,560	020,000	012.8	Suriname	South America	Suriname
Lake Sakakawea (Garrison)	01,489	028,000	018.8	United States	North America	Missouri
Lake Oahe	01,453	028,776	019.8	United States	North America	Missouri
Furnas reservoir	01,440	022,950	015.9	Brazil	South America	Grande
Itaipú	01,350	029,000	021.5	Brazil , Paraguay	South America	Paraná
Réservoir Laforge-1	01,288	006,857	005.3	Canada	North America	Laforge
Kainji Reservoir	01,243	015,000	012.1	Nigeria	Africa	Niger
Ilha Solteira	01,195	021,200	017.7	Brazil	South America	Paraná
Rio Negro Reservoir (Rincón del Bonete)	01,140	015,000	013.2	Uruguay	South America	Negro
Votkinsk Reservoir	01,120	009,400	008.4	Russia	Europe	Kama
Three Gorges Dam	01,085	039,300	036.2	People's Republic of China	Asia	Yangtze River
Novosibirsk Reservoir	01,072	008,800	008.2	Russia	Asia	If
Três-Marias reservoir	01,042	021,000	020.2	Brazil	South America	Sao Francisco
Fort Peck Lake	00981	022,119	022.5	United States	North America	Missouri
Pipmuacan Reservoir	00978	013,900	014.2	Canada	North America	Betsiamites
Zungeru	00974	027,100	027.8	Nigeria	Africa	Kaduna
Opinaca Reservoir	00947	003,395	003.6	Canada	North America	Opinaca
Kiev Reservoir	00922	003,730	004.0	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Nechako Reservoir (Kenney Dam)	00890	032,700	038.5	Canada	North America	Nechaco
Kouilou (planned)	00874	035,000	040.0	Republic of the Congo	Africa	Kouilou
Ataturk Reservoir	00817	048,700	059.6	Turkey	Asia	Euphrates
Tabqa Reservoir	00817	011,900	014.6	Syria	Asia	Euphrates
Garabi-Roncador (planned)	00810	033,580	041.5	Argentina , Brazil	South America	Uruguay
Tres Irmaos	00785	013,800	017.6	Brazil	South America	Tietê
Salto Grande reservoir	00783	005,000	006.4	Argentina , Uruguay	South America	Uruguay
Itumbiara	00778	017,000	021.9	Brazil	South America	Paranaíba
El Chocón	00763	020,200	026.5	Argentina	South America	Limay
La Angostura	00760	018,200	023.9	Mexico	North America	Grijalva
Jenpeg	00756	031,790	010.2	Canada	North America	Nelson
El Infiernillo	00755	010,472	013.9	Mexico	North America	Tepalcatepec and balsas
Toledo Bend Reservoir	00749	006,291	008.4	United States	North America	Sabine
Hirakud reservoir	00746	008,100	010.9	India	Asia	Mahanadi
Lake Argyle	00740	010,763	014.5	Australia	Australia	Ord
Bureja dam	00740	020,940	028.3	Russia	Asia	Bureja
Gandhi reservoir	00723	007,322	010.1	India	Asia	Chambal
São Simão	00722	012,700	017.6	Brazil	South America	Paranaíba
La Grande Reservoir 4	00707	019,400	027.4	Canada	North America	La Grande
Bakun	00696	043,800	062.9	Malaysia	Asia	Balui
Kaniwer reservoir	00675	002,620	003.9	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Keban	00675	030,600	045.3	Turkey	Asia	Euphrates
Karnaphulistausee	00655	005,365	008.2	Bangladesh	Asia	Karnaphuli
Réservoir aux Outardes 4	00652	024,353	040.2	Canada	North America	Rivière aux Outardes
Agua Vermelha reservoir	00647	011,100	017.2	Brazil	South America	Grande
Lake Mead (Hoover Dam)	00639	035,199	055.1	United States	North America	Colorado
Sajano-Schuschensk reservoir	00621	031,340	050.5	Russia	Asia	Yenisei
Mingachevir reservoir	00605	016,100	026.4	Azerbaijan	Asia	Kura
Deji Dam	00604	000232	000.4	Taiwan	Asia	Dajia
Kamjansk Reservoir	00567	002,450	004.3	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Fengman	00550	011,460	020.8	People's Republic of China	Asia	Songhua Jiang
Jupiá reservoir	00544	003,680	006.8	Brazil	South America	Paraná
Kairakkum Reservoir	00520	004,160	008.0	Tajikistan	Asia	Syr Darya
Ukai dam	00520	008,511	016.4	India	Asia	Tapti
Belo Monte (under construction)	00516	003,958	007.7	Brazil	South America	Xingu
Cabonga Reservoir	00484	001,565	003.2	Canada	North America	Gatineau
Lake Francis Case	00479	007,771	016.2	United States	North America	Missouri
Manantali reservoir	00477	011,270	023.6	Mali	Africa	Bafing
Merowe	00476	012,500	026.3	Sudan	Africa	Nile
Govind Ballabh Pant Reservoir (Rihand)	00465	010,600	022.8	India	Asia	Rihand
Sam Rayburn Reservoir	00463	004,931	010.7	United States	North America	Angelina
Xinfeng	00461	013,896	030.1	People's Republic of China	Asia	Xinfeng
Bhumibol	00454	012,200	026.9	Thailand	Asia	Mae Nam Ping
Emborcação	00446	017,500	039.2	Brazil	South America	Paranaíba
Kolyma reservoir	00441	014,600	033.1	Russia	Asia	Kolyma
Son La	00440	003,100	007.0	Vietnam	Asia	Black river
Gardiner	00430	009,400	021.9	Canada	North America	South Saskatchewan
Mica	00430	024,670	057.4	Canada	North America	Columbia
Gatunsee	00422	005,200	012.3	Panama	North America	Río Chagres
Lokka reservoir	00417	002,100	005.0	Finland	Europe	Luiro
Cerros Colorados (Loma de la Lata - Los Barreales)	00413	027,700	067.1	Argentina	South America	Neuquén
Zaporizhia reservoir	00410	001,100	002.7	Ukraine	Europe	Dnepr
Khao Laem (Vajiralongkorn)	00388	008,869	022.9	Thailand	Asia	Kwai
Mosul	00371	012,500	033.7	Iraq	Asia	Tigris
Sardar-Sarovar dam	00370	009,500	025.7	India	Asia	Narmada
Kenyir	00369	013,600	036.8	Malaysia	Asia	Kenyir
Nezahualcóyotl (reservoir) (Malpaso)	00360	012,960	036.0	Mexico	North America	Río Grijalva
Casa de Piedra reservoir	00360	004,000	011.1	Argentina	South America	Colorado
Açude Oros	00350	002,100	006.0	Brazil	South America	Jaguaribe
Fort Randall	00346	005,700	016.5	United States	North America	Missouri
Agus IV	00340	024,602	072.4	Philippines	Asia	Agus
Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell / Osage)	00337	002,377	007.1	United States	North America	Osage
Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake (Grand Coulee)	00337	011,595	034.4	United States	North America	Columbia
Baskatong Reservoir (Barrage Mercier)	00329	002,065	006.3	Canada	North America	Rivière Gatineau
Ivankovo ​​Reservoir	00327	001,120	003.4	Russia	Europe	Volga
Vaal reservoir	00320	002,500	007.8	South Africa	Africa	Vaal
Ilisu	00313	010,400	033.2	Turkey	Asia	Tigris
Petit-Saut dam	00310	03,500	012.0	French Guiana	South America	Sinnamary
Piedra del Águila	00305	012,600	041.3	Argentina	South America	Limay
Roseires Dam	00290	003,024	010.4	Sudan	Africa	Blue Nile
Nagarjuna Sagar	00285	011,561	040.6	India	Asia	Krishna
Toktogul reservoir	00284	019,500	068.7	Kyrgyzstan	Asia	Naryn
Lake Gordon	00281	012,444	044.3	Australia	Australia	Gordon
Supung (Shuifeng)	00274	014,700	053.6	People's Republic of China , North Korea	Asia	Yalu
Mangla	00256	007,252	028.3	Pakistan	Asia	Jhelam
Tarbela reservoir	00254	013,690	053.9	Pakistan	Asia	Indus
Djerdapsee at the Iron Gate	00253	002,400	009.5	Serbia , Romania	Europe	Danube
Reservoir de la Sainte-Marguerite-3	00253	003,272	012.9	Canada	North America	Marguerite
Alqueva reservoir	00250	004,150	016.6	Portugal , Spain	Europe	Guadiana
Sirikit	00250	010,550	042.2	Thailand	Asia	Mae Nam Nan
Uglich reservoir	00249	001,200	004.8	Russia	Europe	Volga
Akkajaure	00242	004,650	030.0	Sweden	Europe	Lule älv
Laforge Reservoir-2	00240	003,870	016.1	Canada	North America	Laforge
Manic Reservoir 3	00207	014,700	071.0	Canada	North America	Manicouagan
Lac Sainte-Anne	00235	003,870	016.5	Canada	North America	Toulnustouc
Truman Reservoir	00227	006,398	007.6	United States	North America	Osage
Volta Grande Reservoir	00221	002,268	010.2	Brazil	South America	Grande
Lake Hume	00202	003,038	015.0	Australia	Australia	Murray
Gilgel Gibe III	00200	014,500	072.5	Ethiopia	Africa	Omo
Itaparica	00180	012,800	071.1	Brazil	South America	Sao Francisco
Lake Pukaki	00174	006,300	036.2	New Zealand	Australia	Tasman
Tianshengqiao	00173.7	010,257	061.0	People's Republic of China	Asia	Nanpanjiang
Karche dam	00162	005,900	036.4	Iran	Asia	Karche
Kabalebo (pl.)	?	019,000	?	Suriname	South America	Kabalebo
Dniester reservoir	00142	003,000	021.1	Ukraine	Europe	Dniester
La Serena Reservoir	00139	003,219	023.2	Spain	Europe	Guadiana
Lake Eildon	00138	003,390	024.6	Australia	Australia	Goulburn
Almendra reservoir	00137	002,649	019.3	Spain	Europe	Tormes
Oskilsk reservoir	00122	001,210	003.9	Ukraine	Europe	Oskol
Shasta dam	00119	005,610	047.1	United States	North America	Sacramento
Altınkaya Dam	00118	005,763	048.8	Turkey	Asia	Kızılırmak
Nurek	00106	010,500	099.1	Tajikistan	Asia	Awake
Alcántara reservoir	00104	003,162	030.4	Spain	Europe	Tagus
Dartmouth Reservoir	00097	003,906	040.3	Australia	Australia	Mitta Mitta
Kremasta reservoir	00092	004,750	051.6	Greece	Europe	Acheloos
Windamere Reservoir	00075	002,000	026.7	Australia	Australia	Warragamba
Fierza reservoir	00073	002,700	037.2	Albania	Europe	Inside
Aliakmonos reservoir	00071	002,244	031.6	Greece	Europe	Aliakmonas
Alicurá	00067.5	003,270	048.4	Argentina	South America	Limay
Xingó	00060	003,800	063.3	Brazil	South America	Sao Francisco
Hálslón	00057	002,100	036.8	Iceland	Europe	Jökulsá á Dal
Storglomvassdamm	00028.6	003,500	122.4	Norway	Europe	Storglomm
Chapetón	?	060,600	?	Argentina	South America	Paraná
Boguchany reservoir	02,326	058,200	025.0	Russia	Asia	Angara
Irkutsk reservoir	?	045,800	?	Russia	Asia	Angara
Pati	?	038,000	?	Argentina	South America	Paraná
Balambano	?	031,500	?	Indonesia	Asia	Larona
Iroquois reservoir	?	030,000	?	United States , Canada	North America	Saint Lawrence River
Longyangxia	00383	027,630	072.1	People's Republic of China	Asia	Huang He
Longtan	?	027,280	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Hongshui He
Nuozhadu	00320	021,749	068.0	People's Republic of China	Asia	Nanpanjiang
Xinanjiang	?	021,600	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Xinanjiang
Danjiangkou	?	020,900	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Hanjiang
Baihetan	?	018,800	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Jinsha Jiang
Si Nakharin	01,534	017,745	011.6	Thailand	Asia	Mae Nam Khwae Yai
Xiaowan Dam	00190	015,100	079.5	People's Republic of China	Asia	Mekong
Xiluodu	?	012,900	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Jinsha Jiang
Xiaolangdi	?	012,650	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Yellow River
Pine Portage	04,848	012,400	002.6	Canada	North America	Nipigon
Daliushu	?	011,408	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Huang He
Koyna Dam	00892	002,797	003.1	India	Asia	Koyna
Chunju Reservoir	?	002,750	?	South Korea	Asia	?
Wujiangdu	?	002.140	?	People's Republic of China	Asia	Wujiang

Largest reservoirs in Germany

This list shows the three largest reservoirs in Germany in terms of area and volume - it contains only five reservoirs in total, as the Edersee fulfills both criteria:  

Reservoir	Area (max.) In km²	Volume (max.) In million m³	Depth (Ø) in m	country	Flowing waters
Forggensee	00015.2	000165	010.3	Bavaria	Lech
Edersee	00011.8	000199.3	016.4	Hesse	Eder
Möhne reservoir	00010.37	000134.5	013	North Rhine-Westphalia	Möhne
Bleilochtalsperre	00009.2	000215	023.4	Thuringia	Saale
Rurtalsperre	00007.83	000202.6	025.9	North Rhine-Westphalia	Rur

Largest reservoirs in Austria

This list shows the three largest reservoirs in Austria in terms of area and volume - it contains a total of six reservoirs:  

Reservoir	Area (max.) In km²	Volume (max.) In million m³	Depth (Ø) in m	country	Flowing waters
Storage space Altenwörth	00011	000093	008.5	Lower Austria	Danube
Storage space for wind knots	00009.5	000048	005.1	Upper Austria	Danube
Wallsee-Mitterkirchen storage space	00007.8	000052.5	006.7	Upper Austria	Danube
Gepatschspeicher	00002.6	000140	053.8	Tyrol	various mountain streams
Kölnbreinspeicher	00002.55	000200	078.4	Carinthia	Brooks, Malta, Upper Lieser
Schlegeis reservoir	00002.2	000129	058.6	Tyrol	various mountain streams

Largest reservoirs in Switzerland

This list shows the three largest reservoirs in Switzerland in terms of area and volume - it contains only five reservoirs in total, as Lake Gruyère fulfills both criteria:  

Reservoir	Area (max.) In km²	Volume (max.) In million m³	Depth (Ø) in m	Canton	Flowing waters
Sihlsee	00010.72	000097	008.9	Schwyz	Sihl
Lake Gruyère (Lac de la Gruyère)	00009.6	000220	022.9	Freiburg	Saane
Lac de Joux / Brenet	00008.77	000149	015.6	Vaud	Orbe
Lac des Dix	00003.65	000401	109.9	Valais	various mountain streams
Lac d'Emosson	00003.27	000227	069.4	Valais	various mountain streams

See also

• List of the largest lakes
• List of the largest dams on earth
• List of dams in the world
• List of dams in Germany
• List of reservoirs in Austria
• List of reservoirs in Switzerland

Web links

• Major Artificial Reservoirs with Water Capacity Exceeding 10 km³ (English)
• Largest store (chinese)

References and comments

1. ↑ Victoria Lake :
   Area: The 68,870 km² correspond to the entire area of ​​the lake. Its dam wall, the Owen Falls Dam , did not lead to a significant increase in the water surface, but only to a regulation of the strongly fluctuating water levels.
   Depth: The average depth of the (once only) natural lake is 45 m; The Owen Falls Dam allows an additional (dammed) height of 3 m.
2. ↑ Barbara Rasche: Der Viktoriasee (Victoriasee) , on ostafrika-forschung.de, accessed on January 24, 2014
3. ↑ Tana Lake: The 3000 km² correspond to the entire , very variable surface of the lake. The Chara-Chara-defense resulted in no increase in the water level, but only to a regulation of the highly fluctuating water levels.