Lake Volta

Lake Volta is a vast reservoir in eastern Ghana formed by the impoundment of the Volta River behind the Akosombo Dam. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world by surface area and serves multiple roles in hydropower production, transport and fisheries.

The reservoir stretches hundreds of kilometres inland, inundating a large river valley to create an extensive shoreline with numerous islands and peninsulas. Local economies around the lake rely on fishing, small-scale agriculture and transport by boat.

The lake was formed when the Akosombo Dam was completed in the mid-1960s to provide hydroelectric power. Creation of the reservoir required resettlement of many communities and transformed regional transport and land use patterns.

Lake Volta occupies much of eastern Ghana; the dam and main facilities sit near the town of Akosombo on the lower Volta, with the reservoir extending northward into several regions of the country.

• Origin and scale: Created by the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, the lake is one of the world's largest human-made reservoirs by surface area and extends far inland along the Volta River valley.
• Transport and tourism: The lake supports extensive fishing and ferry transport routes; local schedules and safety standards vary, so commercial boat services and organized tours are recommended for visitors.

What to See #

• Akosombo Dam: The Akosombo Dam at the lake's southern end, which impounds the Volta River and created the reservoir; the dam is the lake's controlling structure and focal point for hydropower generation and transport.
• Islands and shoreline communities: Dodi Island and other islands and peninsulas used for tourism, boat trips and local fishing communities located on the lake's shoreline.