The 5 Largest Man-Made Lakes

Where Human Ambition Meets A Lot Of Water

Where there's a will, there's a way, even when nature doesn't provide. Around the world, colossal reservoirs have been built to supply water, generate power, and add some visual appeal to an otherwise dry and desolate landscape. Here are five of the world's largest man-made lakes on earth that prove what a combination of human stubbornness and engineering can achieve.

1. Lake Volta

Lake Volta in Ghana is the largest man-made lake in the world based on surface area. It measures about 3,300 square miles. It was formed by the Akosombo Dam in 1965.

2. Lake Kariba

The second-largest man-made lake in the world in terms of surface area is Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. It's around 2,150 square miles and was formed by a thick layer of fertile soil, which has created a vibrant underwater ecosystem. It's also the largest man-made reservoir by volume.

3. Lake Nasser

Lake Nasser in Egypt spans 2,030 square miles. It was created in 1971 by the Aswan High Dam and is now home to a fish enclosure that attracts tourists from around the world.

4. Bratsk Reservoir

Russia's Bratsk Reservoir was built in 1964 by the Bratsk Dam for hydroelectric purposes. It stretches across a vast 2,110 square miles.

5. Kuybyshev Reservoir

The Kuybyshev Reservoir is a 2,490 square mile man-made lake on the Volga River in Russia. It was constructed in 1955 for various purposes, including hydroelectricity and industrial development in the area.