Reservoir Dams in Embu
Masinga Dam: Largest Dam in Kenya
Commissioned in 1981 and spreading over 120 km2, Masinga Dam is the largest man-made lake in Kenya. It is the equivalent of Lake Naivasha. Construction of Masinga Dam began in the late 1970s and was completed in 1981. The reservoir, with a mass capacity of 1.56 billion cubic meters (1.26 million acre-feet) of water, extended upstream along the Tana River, inundating the surrounding areas and creating the beautiful body of water. The holding dam is a concrete gravity dam with a height of approximately 60 meters and a length of about 1,056 meters.
Masinga Power Station has two vertical Kaplan turbines that generate 40 MW. Power from the station is first transmitted to Kamburu Dam then onwards and upwards to Nairobi City. For tourism, Masinga Dam is the most developed of the five Seven Forks Dams, with water-sports, boating tours to the tiny Gichuki Island – in the middle of the dam – being part of the many things to enjoy here. There is also the homely Masinga Dam Resort located adjacent to the Masinga Reservoir. It is found 72 km south of Embu town via B7 Embu-Kivaa-Kitui Road. From Nairobi, it is 150 km via A1 Nairobi-Nyeri Road onto A3 Thika-Garissa Road to Kangonde and B7 Kitui-Kivaa-Embu Road. From Masinga it is only 10 km to Kamburu Dam.
Kenya has several reservoir dams that play a consequential roles in water supply, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, and other water-related activities. The most famous of these are Seven Forks Dams along the Tana River. While reservoir dams are critical infrastructure projects that contribute to Kenya’s economic development, they are also visually stunning go-to destinations.
Index of Dams in Kenya
Baringo County - Chemususu Dam, Kirandich Dam, Bungoma County - Chwele Dam, Muyayi Dam, Makhonge Dam, Kabuchai Dam, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kimwarer Dam, Arrow Dam, Chebara Dam, Embu County - Gitaru Dam, Kamburu Dam, Masinga Dam, Kiambere Dam, Kindaruma Dam, Kajiado County - The Kiserian Dam, Kericho County - Chemusot Dam, Dimbolil Dam, Londiani Dam, Kiambu County - Ruiru Dam, Thika Dam, Kirinyaga County - Thiba Dam, Kwale County - The Mukurumudzi Dam, Nyalani Dam, Machakos County - Maruba Dam, Makueni County - The Mulima Dam, Mannoni Dam, Katilini, Ndukuma Dam, Thwake Dam, Migori County - Kebharisia Dam, Muranga County - The Ndakaini Dam, Maragua Dam, Mathioya Dam, Nairobi County - Nairobi Dam, Nyamira County - Bonyunyu Dam, Nyandarua County - Matches Dam, Sasamua Dam, Nyahururu Dam, Nyeri County - Chinga Dam, Wanjii Dam, Uasin Gishu County - Kesses Dam, Two Rivers Dam, West Pokot County - The Turkwel Gorge Dam
Situated at the base of Mount Kenya, Embu County offers a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and adventure activities, making it a rewarding destination for travelers seeking an authentic experience in the central highland of Kenya. Engage with the Aembu and Mbeere people, who inhabit the region, and learn about their traditional way of life, like farming practices, music, and dance.
You Are Here: Masinga Dam
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Near Masinga Dam
A Guide to Embu County
A Summa Digest of Embu
About Embu Way Back When
32 Destinations in Embu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mwea Rice Plains, Ndaraca ya Ngai, Embu Art Centre, Izaak Walton Inn, Iveche Falls, Karunina Falls, Njukiri Forest, Camp Ndunda Falls, Mount Kenya Riverside Retreat, Embu Golf Range, Murinduko Hill Forest, Karue Hill, Kirimiri Forest, Nthenge Njeru Falls, Nthungu Falls, Nthenge Njeru Hiking Trail, Irangi Forest Station, Mzima Fishing Camp, Kaagari-Gaturi Irrigation, Thuci River Lodge, Mbeere Terraces, Kiang’ombe Forest, Mumoni Hill, Kianjiru Hill, Mwea National Reserve, Kamburu Dam, Riakanau Beach, Masinga Dam, Masinga Dam Resort, Gitaru Dam, Kindaruma Dam, Kiambere Dam
Know More About Embu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.14?
Embu is exemplified by its sharply defined uplands, lowland and slopes from the north, northwest towards the east and southeast, with a few isolated hills such as Kiambere and Kiang’ombe.
What’s The Air Like In Embu?
Embu has a typical highland profile, on the windward side of Mount Kenya, with cold and wet upper zones to hot and dry lower zones in Tana River Basin. Temperatures range betwixt 20o and 30oC.
Abiri Kenya 