Brokopondo Reservoir
Brokopondo
The Brokopondo Reservoir, officially named Professor Doctor Ingenieur W. J. van Blommestein Meer and locally known as Brokopondostuwmeer, is a massive artificial lake in Suriname covering approximately 1,560 square kilometers. It was formed between 1961 and 1964 by constructing the Afobaka Dam across the Suriname River near the town of Afobaka. This reservoir plays a crucial role in Suriname's energy production, primarily supplying electricity to the bauxite processing plants operated by Suralco, a subsidiary of Alcoa, and the capital city Paramaribo. The creation of the reservoir led to the displacement of around 5,000 people from villages such as Ganzee, which was the largest with about 1,200 residents. The dam's construction also contributed to regional development, improved irrigation, and boosted tourism and fishing activities. Despite its benefits, the project faced criticism for flooding extensive areas of biologically valuable tropical rainforest, far exceeding the land inundated by other major hydroelectric projects relative to its energy output. Unique to the reservoir is the submerged forest, which was not cleared before flooding, leading to innovative wood harvesting operations beginning in 2004 to recover valuable timber from the lake. These efforts have attracted international attention and added an unusual aspect to the reservoir's economic and environmental story.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan their trip during the dry season when water levels are more stable and conditions for boating and fishing are optimal. Booking guided tours or boat trips in advance is recommended to explore the vast reservoir safely. While there are no specific ticket requirements for visiting the reservoir itself, arranging transport and local guides beforehand can enhance the experience. Visitors interested in the unique submerged wood harvesting may check for documentary screenings or local exhibitions highlighting this activity.
Faits intéressants
- •The reservoir covers nearly one percent of Suriname's total land area, making it one of the largest reservoirs worldwide.
- •The dam flooded approximately 160,000 hectares of tropical rainforest, the highest area flooded per megawatt among large hydroelectric projects analyzed globally.
- •Villages with around 5,000 inhabitants were abandoned to create the reservoir, with residents relocated to newly established villages downstream.
- •The submerged trees were not cleared before flooding, leading to unique wood harvesting operations that export 'reservoir wood' to Europe and the United States.
- •A documentary about the wood harvesting activities was broadcast on the Franco-German channel Arte in 2011.
Histoire
The Brokopondo Reservoir was created between 1961 and 1964 by constructing the Afobaka Dam on the Suriname River, with the reservoir reaching optimal water levels by 1971.
Its creation necessitated relocating approximately 5,000 residents from flooded villages, including Ganzee.
The dam was primarily built to supply electricity for the bauxite and aluminum industry and Suriname's capital.
Over time, it also fostered regional development and increased tourism.
However, the project drew criticism for its environmental impact, notably the flooding of vast tracts of tropical rainforest.
Starting in 2004, initiatives began to harvest the submerged trees, turning a challenge into an economic opportunity.