The sparkling waters and captivating reflections of lakes are among the most spectacular landscapes on earth. Whether it's a towering mountain range, an overgrown forest, or an arid and desolate desert, there's always a magical feeling when you see the lake's surroundings reflected in its waters.
The construction of reservoirs, dams, and mines has created some incredible man-made lakes. Here are some of the most beautiful ones in the world.
1. Lake of the Holy Cross, France
Located at the end of the Virden River gorge in southeastern France, the Lake of the Holy Cross is a man-made reservoir created by the construction of a dam. In 1974, the Holy Cross Dam was completed, trapping the waters of the Virden River in the valley, where they accumulated and created the Lake of the Holy Cross reservoir, the second largest in France. This man-made lake is 10 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, stretching over 2,200 hectares.
Built at the entrance of the Bodinard Gorge, the Lake of the Holy Cross reservoir holds 760 million cubic meters of water. In addition to storing water, it also supplies electricity to the neighboring city, providing over 150 million kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. Nowadays, Lake of the Holy Cross has become a popular tourist attraction, ideal for swimming, boating, and windsurfing. The sandy beaches along the lake are also perfect for sunbathing, and it's nice to pick a relaxing weekend and have a picnic with your family by the lake.
2. Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Lake Kariba, located in central Africa, is the largest man-made lake in the world. It stretches along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and covers an area of 5,400 square kilometers. In 1958, the Kariba Dam was completed, and in the following five years, the dam filled the Lake Kariba reservoir with water from the Zambezi River.
Today, Kariba Lake is a popular tourist destination for fishing, bird watching, and boating. Boating on the lake, you can see dead branches peeking out from the bottom of the lake, with waterfowl resting on them, accompanied by the sunset's golden light, creating a picturesque and serene atmosphere.
3. Lake Powell, USA
Lake Powell is an artificial lake on the Colorado River, located at the border of Utah and Arizona in the United States. In 1869, one-armed American veteran John Wesley Powell explored the Colorado River with only three wooden boats, and in honor of this explorer, the lake was named after him. The shores of the lake are surrounded by towering red sandstone formations, and a boat tour of Lake Powell feels like traveling back in time to the most primitive beauty of millions of years ago.
There's also a famous stone bridge on Lake Powell - Rainbow Bridge. With a span of 71 meters, a height of 13 meters, and a width of 10 meters, Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural stone arch bridge. In the evening, the bridge turns reddish-brown under the sunset, forming a beautiful scenery with the turquoise Lake Powell.
4. Lake Argyle, Australia
In 1974, Lake Argyle was officially filled with water and put into use. Located in the eastern region of the Kimberley, near the town of Kununurra, this lake is the second-largest man-made freshwater lake in Australia. Used as a reservoir as part of the Ord River irrigation scheme, Lake Argyle has an impressive water storage capacity.
At the peak of the wet season, Lake Argyle can hold 32 million cubic meters of water, more than 20 times the capacity of Sydney Harbour. Lake Argyle is an easy 40-minute drive from the small town of Kununurra. But the best way to enjoy this beautiful lake is to take a seaplane and experience the thrill of landing on the water.
As you walk along the shores of the lake, you can encounter a variety of wildlife, such as freshwater crocodiles, fish, and wallabies. Lake Argyle is also a haven for birds, recognized as an Important Bird Sanctuary by Birdlife International, and home to over 240 species of birds - more than a third of all known bird species in Australia.
