A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity.
A dam can also be used to collect water or for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees (also known as dikes) are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.
Here are the top 20 tallest dams in the world.
Rank | Name | Country | Height |
1. | Jinping-I Dam | China | 305Â m (1,001Â ft) |
2. | Nurek Dam | Tajikistan | 300Â m (980Â ft) |
3. | Xiaowan Dam | China | 292Â m (958Â ft) |
4. | Xiluodu Dam | China | 285.5Â m (937Â ft) |
5. | Grande Dixence Dam | Â Switzerland | 285Â m (935Â ft) |
6. | Yusufeli Dam | Turkey | 275Â m (902Â ft) |
7. | Enguri Dam | Georgia | 271.5Â m (891Â ft) |
8. | Vajont Dam | Italy | 261.6Â m (858Â ft) |
9. | Nuozhadu Dam | China | 261.5Â m (858Â ft) |
10. | Manuel Moreno Torres (Chicoasén) Dam | Mexico | 261 m (856 ft) |
11. | Tehri Dam | India | 260.5Â m (855Â ft) |
12. | Mauvoisin Dam | Switzerland | 250Â m (820Â ft) |
13. | Laxiwa Dam | China | 250Â m (820Â ft) |
14. | Deriner Dam | Turkey | 249Â m (817Â ft) |
15. | Alberto Lleras (Guavio) Dam | Colombia | 243Â m (797Â ft) |
16. | Mica Dam | Canada | 243Â m (797Â ft) |
17. | Gilgel Gibe III Dam | Ethiopia | 243Â m (797Â ft) |
18. | Sayano Shushenskaya Dam | Russia | 242Â m (794Â ft) |
19. | Ertan Dam | China | 240Â m (790Â ft) |
20. | Changheba Dam | China | 240Â m (790Â ft) |
