Lake Kossou, Reservoir in Ivory Coast

Lake Kossou is Côte d'Ivoire's largest lake, an artificial reservoir on the Bandama River in the centre of the country. Its dam, built of earth with rockfill, is about 1,500 m long and up to 58 m high. When full the lake reaches 180 km in length and 45 km in width, with a surface of 1,855 km².

The lake was created in 1973 when a dam was built across the Bandama River with help from the United Nations Development Programme. About 75,000 people from the Baoulé community had to leave their homeland to make way for the project, which aimed to provide electricity and water management for the region.

The lake serves as a vital resource for local communities, who rely on fishing and water access for their daily survival. Families have adapted their way of life around this human-made body of water, making it central to their social and economic rhythms.

The best time to visit is during the dry season when the weather is warm and water levels are lower. The area is accessible by road, and local guides can help you explore the lake and learn about its history and role in the region.

Plans have been discussed to install floating solar panels on the lake's water surface to generate clean energy. These projects could help reduce power shortages in the region and show how the reservoir continues to adapt to modern needs.