Kainji Lake

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Kainji Lake
Location	Nigeria
Coordinates	10°22′N 4°33′ECoordinates: 10°22′N 4°33′E
Lake type	15 billion m³
Primary sources	Niger River
Primary outflows	Niger River
Surface area	max. 1243 km²
Max depth	12.1 m

Kainji Lake, in western Nigeria, is a reservoir on the Niger River, formed by the Kainji Dam. It was formed in 1968 and is a part of Niger State and Kebbi State.

[edit] Dam

The dam is situated in the south of Niger State and generates power for most towns in Nigeria. It was built from 1964 to 1968 and cost about 209 million dollar, a quarter of which was used to delocate the original population. Together with a smaller dam for a minor stream, it is 10 km long and 65m high in the middle. It has a capacity of 12 turbines producing a total of 960 MW, but only 10 were installed, producing 800 MW. Part of the production is sold to the neighbouring country of Niger.