Lake Kossou
Lacs
Lake Kossou, located in the center of Côte d'Ivoire on the Bandama River, is the country's largest lake and an important artificial reservoir created by the construction of the Kossou Dam in 1973. The dam, an earth and rockfill structure approximately 1,500 meters long, was built under the United Nations Development Programme, and it serves primarily to generate hydroelectric power with a capacity of 174 megawatts. When at full capacity, the lake covers an area of about 1,855 square kilometers, stretching 180 kilometers in length and 45 kilometers in width. The creation of the lake led to the displacement of approximately 75,000 Baoulé people from around 200 settlements, who were resettled into newly constructed villages in forest and savanna zones. The lake was also intended to support local agriculture through irrigation and to foster a fishing industry. However, due to lower than average rainfall and water extraction upstream, the lake has only reached about half of its expected size, limiting some of its intended uses. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including hippopotamuses and various fish species such as Nile perch and African butter catfish, alongside invasive water cabbage plants. Efforts to develop sustainable energy continue, with proposals for floating solar photovoltaic installations on the lake's surface.
Planifiez votre voyage en Côte d'Ivoire avec l'IA
Créez un itinéraire détaillé en quelques minutes. L'IA suggère les meilleurs endroits, restaurants et un itinéraire optimisé.
Astuce: Visitors should plan to visit during the dry season for better accessibility and clearer views. While there are no formal tourist facilities, local villages around the lake offer cultural experiences. It is advisable to arrange guided tours through local operators familiar with the area. There are no specific ticketing requirements, but respecting local communities and environmental conservation efforts is encouraged.
Faits intéressants
- •Lake Kossou is Côte d'Ivoire's largest lake and an artificial reservoir created in 1973.
- •The Kossou Dam powers a hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 174 megawatts.
- •The lake displaced approximately 75,000 Baoulé people who were relocated into 54 new villages.
- •The lake's surface area has remained about half of its expected size due to lower rainfall and water extraction upstream.
- •The lake hosts hippopotamuses and a variety of fish species including Nile perch and African butter catfish.
- •A floating solar photovoltaic project was proposed in 2019 to generate additional renewable energy on the lake.
Histoire
Lake Kossou was formed following the completion of the Kossou Dam in 1973, a major infrastructure project under the United Nations Development Programme.
The damming of the Bandama River resulted in the displacement of about 75,000 Baoulé people from 200 settlements, who were relocated into 54 new villages.
The lake reached its highest water level in 1975 but has since remained at about 50% capacity due to decreased rainfall and upstream water usage.
In 1983, the region suffered a severe drought and wildfires that devastated local agriculture.
More recently, plans have been proposed to install floating solar panels on the lake to enhance renewable energy production.
