Geo-referenced database on African dams

Introduction

In the framework of the development of a GIS-based information system on water resources for the African continent, a geo-referenced data base of (large) African dams was set up. The purpose of the database is to allow a better assessment of the regulation capability of the different rivers of the continent, which is of prime importance for regional assessment of available water resources.

The references used for the database were: i) International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). 1985. The World Register of Dams; ii) National Reports; iii) Information obtained from national experts through AQUASTAT national surveys; iv) The Internet. Details can be found in Notes and References.

The degree of precision of the coordinates is as follows. If the coordinates are available in the reference, these figures are reported in the database. If the dam was located from maps from the World Aeronautical Operational Navigation Charts (ONC) (scale 1 : 1 000 000), the degree of precision is ten seconds. When more detailed maps were available (1 : 250 000 or more detailed), the degree of precision is one second. Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the dams by basin and by country.

The database, in its present format, is neither complete nor can be considered error-free. It corresponds to the best available information at the time of the study.

The lists of dams identified during the study are stored in an Excel file, which can be downloaded from here. The Excel file has two sheets: the first sheet contains the database and the second sheet contains the legend. Explanations of the fields are given in Notes and References.

For most of the dams geographic coordinates have been identified. The geographic datalayer with these dams can be viewed and downloaded from here. For the on-line interactive map click here. Users of Google Earth can see the database on African dams as an overlay by opening this file in Google Earth.

A synthesis of the role of dams in agriculture in Africa can be found by clicking on Dams and agriculture in Africa.

Tables in Excel format

• List of dams by country
• List of 30 dams with largest capacity (> 2.5 million m³)
• List of 30 highest dams (> 85 m)
• List of 30 dams with highest level of sedimentation (> 25%)
• List of 30 dams with largest reservoir surface area (> 100 km²)