Koka Reservoir Lake
Major irrigation reservoir in Oromia
Artificial lake formed by the Koka Dam on Ethiopia's Awash River; used for fishing, irrigation and birdwatching along its shoreline.
Koka Reservoir at a Glance#
About Koka Reservoir#
Koka Reservoir is a man-made lake in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, impounded on the Awash River by Koka Dam. The reservoir is a significant inland waterbody in central Ethiopia.
The reservoir was created when Koka Dam was built in the 1960s to provide hydroelectric power and irrigation for the surrounding plains. Since construction it has been an important water resource for the region.
The reservoir sits on the Awash River in central Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, on the highlands east-southeast of Addis Ababa. The site is reached by regional roads serving towns in the Awash valley.
- Purpose and origin: located on the Awash River in Oromia and formed by a dam constructed in the 1960s to provide hydroelectric power and irrigation.
What to See#
- Koka Dam: The dam structure that forms the reservoir, which impounds the Awash River and supplies water for irrigation and hydroelectric generation.
How to Get to Koka Reservoir#
Located in Oromia Region; access is by regional roads from Addis Ababa and nearby towns - hire a driver familiar with local routes and check conditions seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Koka Reservoir#
- Road access in Oromia can be rough; use a local driver familiar with rural routes and always check water-level conditions in the rainy season.
Best Time to Visit Koka Reservoir#
Best visited in the dry season for road access and safer local travel arrangements.
Weather & Climate near Koka Reservoir#
Koka Reservoir's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 10°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (818 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 10° - 24° | 17° | 12 mm | mostly sunny | 45% | 1.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.6h |
| February | Excellent | 12° - 25° | 18° | 33 mm | mostly sunny | 42% | 1.4 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 13° - 26° | 19° | 55 mm | some cloud | 46% | 1.6 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 14° - 25° | 20° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 1.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.2h |
| May | Excellent | 14° - 25° | 19° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 1.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| June | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 20° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
| July | Good | 14° - 24° | 19° | 187 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| August | Good | 14° - 23° | 18° | 183 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| September | Very Good | 13° - 24° | 19° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Excellent | 12° - 24° | 18° | 26 mm | some cloud | 55% | 1.5 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Ideal | 11° - 24° | 17° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 52% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.6h |
| December | Ideal | 10° - 24° | 17° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 50% | 1.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.5h |