Top 10 Largest Dams in the World in 2024

The major hydroelectric dams globally are a reflection of impressive engineering achievements. These immense structures serve various purposes ranging from, storing water for human consumption and irrigation to protecting flood water discharge, producing hydroelectric power, and facilitating water navigation and recreation. Hydroelectric dams have become an integral part of human infrastructure, used in many forms and shapes all across the planet. They are an excellent source of renewable energy.

In this article, we’ll discover the largest dams in the world, which are truly immense, some exceeding 140 meters in height and 65 million cubic meters in volume.

Based on the structure height, structure volume, reservoir volume, and installed capacity, we’ll find the largest dams around the world.

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List of the 10 Largest Dams in the World

Following are a few of the top largest dams across the globe.

• Three Gorges Dam
• Itaipu Dam
• Xiluodu Dam
• Guri Dam
• Tucuruí Dam
• Kariba Dam
• Fort Peck Dam
• Ataturk Dam
• Houtribdijk
• Oahe Dam

1. Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges dam is a hydroelectric gravity dam, spanning over the Yangtze River, Yichang Hubei province and central China. It is renowned as the world’s largest power producing facility, and the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. With the installed capacity of 22,500 MW, it is the largest power station globally. This China’s dam is 2,335 m in length and 181 m in height. 

According to an estimation, this dam generates 95±20 TWh of electricity per year on average. It was the largest engineering project in China. The electricity production depends on the amount of the precipitation in the river Basin. The dam’s body construction was completed in 2006. However, Three Gorges dam became fully operational by the year of 2012. Three Gorges dam was designed to produce a huge amount of electricity and protection from floods.

The dam has flood storage space that reduces the potential for flooding downstream. 

• Year of Completion: 2006
• Structure Height: 181 m
• Installed Capacity:  22,500 MW
• Volume: 28 million cu m

2. Itaipu Dam

Itaipu dam is located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. This world’s second-largest hydroelectric dam holds the 45th reservoir in the world. The dam’s construction was completed in 1984. As of 2020 estimation, the hydroelectric pump of Itaipu dam produced the second most electricity in the world. 

With the 20 massive turbine generators, the installed capacity of Itaipu dam is 14 GW. Each generating unit is providing 700 MW with the 118 m hydraulic design head. The dam stands over 196 m high. It consists of large concrete segments, which are joined to form a hollow chamber. Two buttresses support its upstream face, while the downstream face is a simple concrete slab. Itaipu dam has earned its position as the highest and largest gravity dam in the world. The purpose behind the dam’s construction was to supply electricity to Brazil and Paraguay. 

Itaipu dam serves as a major source of electricity for both countries, contributing to the development of the whole region around the reservoir. This dam also helped to build the region’s infrastructure through bridges and hospitals.  

• Year of Completion: 1984
• Structure Height: 196m
• Installed Capacity:  14 GW
• Volume: 12,3 million cu m

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3. Xiluodu Dam

Xiluodu dam is an arch dam, located near the town of Xiluodu in Younshan County. The dam’s construction took 8 years as it was started in 2005 and completed in 2013. Xiluodu Dam produces a massive amount of electricity of 13,860 MW and became the third largest China’s dam.  This dam is 285 m high, and wide, spreading over 700 m. The primary purpose of Xiluodu dam was to generate hydroelectric power. 

It also serves as a safe space for flood control. This China’s dam reflects amazing engineering achievement and played a significant role in the country’s economic growth.  Xiluodu dam is currently the fifth-tallest dam across the world. 

• Year of Completion: 2013
• Structure Height: 285m
• Installed Capacity:13,860 MW
• Volume: 16.5 billion cu yd

4. Guri Dam 

Located on the Caroni River, Guri Dam is the fourth largest dam worldwide. Its construction was started in 1963 and finished in 1969, took 6 years for completion. Guri dam has the capacity to produce 10,235 MW electricity. Under the estimation, this fourth largest dam fulfills around 73% of the country’s need of electricity. With the height of 162 m, the dam becomes super long. Guri dam stretches almost 7.4 kilometers.

The dam serves as flood water evacuation, reducing the recurrent risks of floods. The government adopted a policy in the 1960s, and carried out construction of this power plant. While providing the 50,000GW/h energy to the country annually, the dam has earned its position as one of the biggest power plants globally.  

• Year of Completion: 1969
• Structure Height: 162 m
• Installed Capacity: 10,235 MW
• Volume: 138 billion cubic m

5. Tucuruí Dam

Tucuruí dam is the fifth largest dam in the world. It is situated on the Tocantins River in Brazil. The dam’s construction was started in 1984 and ended in 2010. With the 25 units, the dam’s installed capacity is 8,370 MW. 

Tucuruí dam stands high above 78 m, while stretching over 11 kilometers, and considered as the longest one. The concrete gravity dam has a water holding capacity of 45 billion cubic meters. The main purpose behind its construction was to generate hydroelectric power and navigation. In the Brazil Amazon rainforest, Tucuruí dam was the first large-scale hydroelectric project.  

• Year of Completion: 2010
• Structure Height: 78 m
• Installed Capacity:  8,370 MW
• Volume: 45 billion cu m

6. Kariba Dam

Between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Kariba dam lies in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River basis, built from 1955 to 1959. This double arch dam is 579 m long and 128 m high. Based on the reservoir capacity factor, it is considered as the largest dam in the world.

Kariba Dam has a reservoir capacity of 185 billion cubic meters of water. While covering the catchment area of 663,000 km2, this double curvature concrete arch dam has 2,010 MW power generation capacity. It is the world’s largest artificial lake and reservoir by volume.

• Year of Completion: 1959
• Structure Height: 128 m
• Installed Capacity:  2,010 MW
• Volume: 185 billion cu m

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7. Fort Peck Dam

Located near Glasgow in northeast Montana of the United States, Fort Peck Dam is one of the largest dams on the planet. The project was started in 1933 and completed in 1940. While covering a land area of 243 square kilometers, it has an installed capacity of 185 MW. 

The Fort Peck dam stands approximately 76 m high along with a length of 6,409 m. The total dam volume is 125,628,000 cu yd, making it popular among the world’s largest dams. This hydraulically filled dam was designed to reduce flood risks, improve navigation, and increase hydroelectric power.

• Year of Completion: 1940
• Structure Height: 76.4 m
• Installed Capacity: 185 MW
• Volume: 96,050 cu m

8. Ataturk Dam

Ataturk Dam, one of the largest world dams, is situated 23 km northwest of Bozova, Turkey. It was previously known as the Karababa Dam. The construction was started in 1983 and completed in 1990. 

Ataturk dam has an installed capacity of 2,400 MW. Additionally, this rock-fill dam is 184 m high and 1,820 m long. Its maximum reservoir level is 542 m, whereas the minimum operation level is 526 m. Ataturk dam was designed to provide irrigation water and hydroelectricity to arid southern Turkey.

• Year of Completion: 1990
• Structure Height: 184 m
• Installed Capacity: 2,400 MW
• Volume: 84,500 cu m

9. Houtribdijk

Situated in the Netherlands, Houtribdijk is the world’s first project to combine water safety with opportunities for nature and recreation. Its construction was started in 1963 and completed in 1976. The structure height is 13 m with a total reservoir capacity of 1,621,000 acre-feet. While covering an area of 30 kilometers, this dike serves as a link road between Lelystad and Enkhuizen, and is frequently called “Enkhuizen- Lelystad dike.” 

On the east side of the dike is the Ijsselmeer and on the west side is Markermeer. The Houribdijk was reinforced with 1.2 million tonnes of rubble and 100,000 tons of mastic asphalt at the end of Lelystad. The dam project was based on the principle of recycling by assessing the old stone and reusing processes when possible.    

• Year of Completion: 1968
• Structure Height: 13 m
• Total Capacity: 68 m in width
• Volume: 78,000 cu m

10. Oahe Dam

Located in the middle of South Dakota, Lake Oahe is the fourth largest man-made lake that spreads over 230 miles from Pierre to Bismarck. The dam’s construction took place in the early 1960s. The dam of 75 m in height was built to balance hydropower generation, water supply and quality, irrigation, and fish and wildlife conservation. With an installed capacity of 786 MW, it is the largest power producer on the Missouri River, generating 2.8 billion kW annually. 

While covering several aspects including the intake, the surge tanks, the emergency spillway, and the nitty gritty that monitors everything from water levels to the tilt and movement, Oahe becomes the big earth-rolled dam. The Missouri River system starts up in Montana at Fort Peck, follows North Dakota at Garrison, down to Oahe.

• Year of Completion: 1963
• Structure Height: 75 m
• Installed Capacity: 786 MW
• Volume: 70,339 cu m

Conclusion

Dams are the most massive human structures, constructed by using millions of tonnes of dirt, rock, concrete, and other materials. Documenting the world’s largest dams is tough, but the notion of largest may be specified based on the structure’s height, volume, the capacity of the reservoir, and generating electric power. The world’s largest dams, ranging from Kariba dam with 185 billion cu m volume capacity to the Oahe upholds volume of 70,339 cu m and Mangla dam of 65,379 cu m volume, each has earned incredible position for their significant features. The objective is to serve people by storing water for their consumption needs and irrigation, facilitating water navigation and recreation, generating hydroelectric power, and controlling flood chances. 

FAQ’s

What is the first largest dam in the world?

Tarbela Dam, built in 1976, is the largest dam in the world on the basis of structural volume. This dam lies in the Swabi District Tehsil Topi of the province.

Which Is the Largest Dam in Asia?

Three Gorges Dam is considered as the world’s largest hydroelectric facility. 

Which Is the Largest Dam in Pakistan?

Tarbela dam is the largest earth and rock filled dam in the world. With a volume of 142,000,000, this dam stands 147 m above the Indus riverbed. 

Which Country Has the Most Dams?

According to statistical observation, China has more than  80,000 dams.

How Many Dams Are There in Saudi Arabia?

As of 2021 data, there were 559 dams in Saudi Arabia.