Lagdo Reservoir, reservoir

Lagdo Reservoir is a reservoir on the Bénoué River in the North Region of Cameroon, impounded by a dam 308 m long, 40 m high and 9 m thick, located 50 km south of Garoua. The lake covers 586 km2. The dam was built between August 1977 and July 1982 by Chinese and Cameroonian workers under the China International Water & Electric Corp.

The Lagdo dam was built between August 1977 and July 1982 by Chinese and Cameroonian workers under the China International Water & Electric Corp. Its purpose was to supply electricity to northern Cameroon and irrigate 15,000 hectares of crops downstream. The dam measures 308 m long, 40 m high and 9 m thick.

The reservoir takes its name from the Lagdo district in the Bénoué department where the dam stands. Its water supports fishing and the irrigation of 15,000 hectares of crops downstream, so the lake is a working resource for farmers and fishers rather than a scenic spot.

The drive from Garoua takes about an hour on rough roads that can become muddy during the rainy season. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, and visitors should be cautious near the dam where currents are strong.

The reservoir has lost significant capacity over the decades as sediment has built up on the bottom. This siltation means it cannot hold as much water as originally designed.