Overview
Which are the tallest and largest embankment dams in the world ?
Tallest Dams. Nurek Dam of Tajikistan is the tallest embankment dam in the world, built at a height of 300 meters. At second and third, are Nuozhadu Dam at a height of 261.50 meters and Chicoasén Dam at 261 meters.The heights of the major embankment dams in the world range from 17 meters to 300 meters, with the average embankment dam built at around 130.3 meters.
Countries with most major embankment dams. The country with the most major embankment dams in the world is Australia.
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Installed Capacity. The largest embankment dam in the world by installed capacity is Nuozhadu Dam of China with a capacity of 5,850 MW.The installed capacities of major embankment dams in the world range from 3 MW to 5,850 MW, with the average being 1,483.9 MW.
Reservoir Volume. Aswan Dam of Egypt is the largest embankment dam by reservoir volume in the world, with a reservoir of 169 billion m3.The reservoir volumes of major embankment dams in the world range from 0.03 billion m3 to 169 billion m3, with the average embankment dam impounding up to 11.8 billion m3 of water.
Regions with most major embankment dams. The region with the most major embankment dams in the world is Oceania.
Let's check out some of these tallest and largest embankment dams in the world.
Nurek Dam is a 42-year-old embankment dam (completed in 1980). It is located in Nurek, Khatlon region, Tajikistan (Asia).
Nurek Dam is the 2nd tallest dam in the world. The installed capacity of Nurek Dam is 3,015MW. The embankment dam stands 300 meters tall and can impound up to 10.50 billion m3 of water. Its structural volume is 54 million m3.
Nuozhadu Dam is located in Yunnan Province, China (Asia). The embankment dam was completed in 2012 (10 years old).
Nuozhadu Dam is the largest hydroelectric embankment dam in the world by installed capacity. The embankment dam has an installed capacity of 5,850MW. Nuozhadu Dam stands 261.50 meters tall and can impound up to 21.75 billion m3 of water.
Chicoasén Dam, also known as Manuel Moreno Torres, is an embankment dam located in Chicoasén, Chiapas, Mexico (North America). It was completed in 1980 (42 years old).
Chicoasén Dam is the 3rd tallest embankment dam in the world. The embankment dam stands at a height of 261 meters and impounds up to 1.61 billion m3 of water. Chicoasén Dam has an installed capacity of 2,430MW.
Located in Uttarakhand, India, Tehri Dam is an embankment dam. It was built in 2006 (16 years since completion).
Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India. The structural height of Tehri Dam is 260.50 meters. The embankment dam can hold up to 4 billion m3 of water and has an installed capacity of 1,000MW.
Changheba Dam is a 5-year-old embankment dam (completed in 2017). It is located in Kangding, Sichuan, China (Asia).
The embankment dam has an installed capacity of 2,600MW. Changheba Dam stands 240 meters tall and can impound up to 1.08 billion m3 of water.
Compare Changheba Dam with Rutland Water Dam from United Kingdom.
Compare Changheba Dam with Fort Peck Dam from United States.
Mica Dam is located in Mica Creek, British Columbia, Canada (North America). The embankment dam was completed in 1973 (49 years old).
Mica Dam is the 2nd tallest dam in North America. The structural height of Mica Dam is 240 meters. The embankment dam can hold up to 24.76 billion m3 of water and has an installed capacity of 2,805MW.
Compare Mica Dam with Oahe Dam from United States.
Compare Mica Dam with Bath County Pumped Storage Station from United States.
Located in Oroville, California, United States, Oroville Dam is an embankment dam. It was built in 1968 (54 years since completion).
Oroville Dam is the 3rd tallest dam in North America. The structural height of Oroville Dam is 230 meters while its structural volume of 59.60 million m3. The embankment dam can hold up to 4.36 billion m3 of water and has an installed capacity of 819MW.
Compare Oroville Dam with Ilha Solteira Dam from Brazil.
Compare Oroville Dam with Kielder Water Dam from United Kingdom.
Jiangpinghe Dam is a 10-year-old embankment dam (completed in 2012). It is located in Hefeng County, Hubei Province, China (Asia).
The installed capacity of Jiangpinghe Dam is 500MW. The embankment dam stands 221 meters tall and can impound up to 1.37 billion m3 of water. Its structural volume is 7.18 million m3.
Compare Jiangpinghe Dam with Pantabangan Dam from Philippines.
Completed in 2011, Bakun Dam is a 11-year-old embankment dam. It is located in Sarawak, Malaysia (Asia).
Bakun Dam impounds the largest reservoir volume in Asia. The embankment dam has an installed capacity of 2,400MW. Bakun Dam stands 205 meters tall and can impound up to 43.80 billion m3 of water.
Dams Lists
Largest Dams by Installed Capacity (MW): world | Asia | Europe | North America | South America | USA | Canada | Australia | UK
Tallest Dams: world | Asia | Europe | North America | South America | USA | Canada | Australia | UK
Dams with Largest Structural Volume: world | Asia | Europe | North America | South America | USA | Canada | Australia | UK
Dams with Largest Reservoir Volume: world | Asia | Europe | North America | South America | USA | Canada | Australia | UK
Largest/tallest Dams by Type: Arch Dams | Embankment Dams | Gravity Dams | Arch-Gravity Dams | Buttress Dams