Kaptai Lake

Man-made lake in Bangladesh

22°29′45″N 92°13′45″E / 22.49583°N 92.22917°E / 22.49583; 92.22917TypereservoirPrimary inflowsKarnaphuli RiverPrimary outflowsKarnaphuli RiverCatchment area11,122 km² (4,294 sq mi) ^{[original research?]}Basin countriesBangladeshSurface area688 km2Average depth100 ft (30 m)Max. depth175 ft (53 m)

Kaptai Lake is the largest man-made lake in Bangladesh.^[1] It is located in the Kaptai Upazila under Rangamati District of Chittagong Division. The lake was created as a result of building the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River, as part of the Karnafuli Hydropower Station. Kaptai Lake's average depth is 100 feet (30 m) and maximum depth is 175 feet (53 m).

History

Construction of the reservoir for the hydro-electric plant began in 1956 by the Government of East Pakistan.^[2] 54,000 acres (220 km²) of farmland in the Rangamati District was submerged with the creation of the lake. The project was finished in 1961.^[3] 40% of the total arable land went underwater as a result of the dam construction and 100,000 people were displaced.^[3] The palace of the king of the Chakmas was also flooded and is also underwater.^[2] The International Engineering Company and Utah International Inc. received the contract for the construction of the dam. The dam is 670.8 meters long, and 54.7 meters high.^[1]

Gallery

Hanging Bridge
the lake
Wooden boats
Boat on the lake
View of Kaptai lake, Rangamati
Kaptai Dam
Kaptai
A Beautiful waterfall

References

^ ^a ^b Amin, Sakib Bin (2021). The Economy of Tourism in Bangladesh: Prospects, Constraints, and Policies. Springer Nature. ISBN 9783030729004.
^ ^a ^b Daily JaiJaiDin, January 10, 2008. Page 10.
^ ^a ^b Schendel, Willem van (202). A History of Bangladesh. Cambridge University Press. p. 171. ISBN 9781108620338.