Kaptai Lake

Kaptai Lake is a large man-made reservoir in Rangamati District, Chittagong Division, Bangladesh created by the construction of the Kaptai Dam in the early 1960s. It is the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh and an important regional hydropower and fisheries resource.

The lake is known for its extensive shoreline, wooded hills and scattered islands; common activities include boat tours, fishing and resort stays on the lakeshore. Small villages and floating commerce line parts of the water, and boat travel is the primary way to reach many viewpoints and island sites.

The reservoir was formed when the Kaptai Dam was completed as part of a hydroelectric project in the early 1960s, which flooded valleys along the Karnaphuli River. The impoundment transformed local land use and created new fisheries and transport routes while displacing some communities.

Kaptai Lake sits in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, with the town of Rangamati on its shore. It lies to the east-northeast of Chittagong city and is accessed by road from Rangamati and other district towns.

• Best time to visit: Boat trips and local resorts operate from Rangamati and other lakeside towns; early morning or late afternoon light is best for photography of the hills and water.
• Function: The reservoir was created by the Kaptai Dam and remains an important source of hydroelectric power and fisheries.