Top 10 World’s Largest Water Dams

Dams are of pivotal importance in the economic and agricultural growth of a country. Apart from water usage for agricultural purposes, electricity is also produced from dams which in turn used to run industries. Furthermore, dams can be effectively used to prevent floods and other potential water hazards. The water capacity varies from dam to dam because some dams can hold and store more water volume than others. Depending on the total volume of water a dam can hold, here is a list of top 10 largest water dams in the world.

Instructions

  • 1

    Syncrude Tailings Dam Mildred MLSB:

    Located about 40 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, Syncrude Tailings Dam Mildred MLSB is the largest dam in the world. It was completed in 1995 and is 88 metres high.

    - Image Courtesy: warnet.ws

  • 2

    Tarbela Dam:

    Tarbela Dam is located about 50 km northwest of Pakistan’s federal capital; Islamabad. It was completed in 1976 and is ranked number 2, of the top 10 world’s largest water dams.

    - Image Courtesy: technologytimes.pk

  • 3

    Syncrude Tailings Dam Mildred SWSS:

    The Syncrude Tailings Dam Mildred SWSS was completed just recently in 2010. It is the third largest dam in the world in terms of water storage capacity.

    - Image Courtesy: toptenfamous.com

  • 4

    Fort Peck Dam:

    The Fort Peck Dam is nearly three quarters of a century old. It was completed in 1940 and is located in northeast Montana in the United States of America. Fort Peck Dam is ranked number 4, of the top 10 world’s largest water dams.

    - Image Courtesy: britannica.com

  • 5

    Atatürk Dam:

    With a water storage capacity of 84.5×106 cubic metres, the Atatürk Dam is the 5th largest dam in the world. It is located in Turkey and was completed in 1990.

    - Image Courtesy: adiyamandiyari.com

  • 6

    Flevoland Dyke:

    The water storage capacity of Flevoland Dyke is approximately 78×106 cubic metres. This makes it the 6th largest water dam in the world.

    - Image Courtesy: gizmocrazed.com

  • 7

    Oahe Dam:

    The Oahe Dam was completed in 1963 and is located in the US. Its structure height is 75 metres whereas it maximum water storage capacity is 70.3×106 cubic metres. It is ranked number 7, of the top 10 world’s largest water dams.

    - Image Courtesy: panoramio.com

  • 8

    Gardiner Dam:

    The Gardiner Dam can store up to 65.4×106 cubic metres of water which makes it the 8th biggest water dam in the world.

    - Image Courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org

  • 9

    Mangla Dam:

    Located in Pakistan, Mangla Dam is ranked 9, of the top 10 world’s largest water dams.

    - Image Courtesy: hawamer.com

  • 10

    Oroville Dam:

    The Oroville Dam is located in United States of America. It was completed in 1968 and is at the bottom of the list of 10 largest water dams in the world.

    - Image Courtesy: toptenfamous.com

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