Largest Dams in the World by Reservoir Capacity 2026

/ Global Stats, Infrastructure / By

Large dams are among the most impressive human-made structures on Earth. They play a critical role in water storage, electricity generation, flood control, irrigation, and regional development. The largest dams in the world are ranked mainly by the size of their reservoirs, which shows how much water they can hold. This matters globally because reservoir capacity directly affects water security, energy supply, and economic stability, especially in regions that depend heavily on rivers. As climate change increases pressure on water resources, understanding the scale and distribution of the world’s largest dams becomes more important than ever.

Dams are usually compared using measurable factors such as reservoir capacity, height, length, and power generation. For this article, the ranking is based strictly on reservoir capacity, measured in cubic kilometers. This approach highlights how much water each dam can store rather than how tall or powerful it is. Geography plays a big role, as wide river basins and suitable valleys allow larger reservoirs to form. Over time, dam construction has shifted from purely national projects to strategic infrastructure with long-term economic and environmental implications.

Top 10 Largest Dams in the World 2026

  1. Kariba: 180 km³
  2. Bratsk: 169 km³
  3. Akosombo: 148 km³
  4. Manicouagan: 142 km³
  5. Guri: 135 km³
  6. Aswan High: 132 km³
  7. Krasnoyarsk: 73 km³
  8. Zeya: 68 km³
  9. Cahora Bassa: 63 km³
  10. Sayano-Shushenskaya: 31 km³

The top 10 list clearly shows a strong concentration of very large dams in a few countries, particularly Russia and Africa. Kariba leads the ranking by a significant margin, holding the largest reservoir capacity in the world. Bratsk and Akosombo follow closely, showing how both cold and tropical regions can support massive reservoirs. The drop in capacity after the top six dams is quite noticeable, highlighting how rare truly mega-scale reservoirs are. These top dams dominate because they are built on major rivers with vast catchment areas, allowing them to store enormous volumes of water over long periods.

Full Data Table

# Dam Country Reservoir capacity (km³)
1 Kariba Zimbabwe / Zambia 180
2 Bratsk Russia 169
3 Akosombo Ghana 148
4 Manicouagan Canada 142
5 Guri Venezuela 135
6 Aswan High Egypt 132
7 Krasnoyarsk Russia 73
8 Zeya Russia 68
9 Cahora Bassa Mozambique 63
10 Sayano-Shushenskaya Russia 31
11 Kuybyshev Russia 58
12 Ataturk Turkey 49
13 Three Gorges China 39
14 Volgograd Russia 32
15 Rybinsk Russia 25
16 Toktogul Kyrgyzstan 19
17 Kremenchuk Ukraine 14
18 Grand Coulee United States 12
19 Tarbela Pakistan 11
20 Nurek Tajikistan 10

Key Points

  • Reservoir capacity varies sharply, with the top six dams holding more than 130 km³ each.
  • Russia appears multiple times in the ranking, reflecting its extensive river systems.
  • African dams feature prominently due to large river basins and long reservoirs.
  • The difference between the largest and tenth-largest dams is extremely wide.
  • Most of the largest dams were designed for both power generation and water regulation.
  • Large reservoirs often span international or remote regions, increasing strategic importance.

The largest dams in the world represent decades of engineering ambition and national planning. Their massive reservoirs continue to support electricity production, agriculture, and water supply for millions of people. At the same time, these structures raise important questions about environmental impact and long-term sustainability. As global demand for clean energy and reliable water storage grows, existing mega dams will remain crucial assets, while future projects may focus more on efficiency and balance. Understanding where the world’s largest dams are and how they compare helps put global water and energy infrastructure into clear perspective.

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