Lagdo Reservoir, reservoir
Lagdo Reservoir is a large man-made water body in northern Cameroon that spans hundreds of square kilometers. The dam sits roughly 50 kilometers south of Garoua and regulates the Bénoué River, with calm water reflecting the sky and bordered by flat shores and wetlands.
Construction began in the late 1970s and was completed in 1982, with Chinese and Cameroonian workers building the dam together. The project was created to control the Bénoué River, which caused severe flooding during rainy seasons.
The reservoir's name reflects the region it serves and the river that has shaped this landscape for generations. Along the shore, fishing communities and small settlements reveal how daily life revolves around the water and its seasonal patterns.
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.
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