Reservoir Dams in Machakos
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
Part of the larger Ukambani alongside Kitui and Makueni, Machakos County is a nexus between Maasailand, the coast region, the central highlands, and Nairobi. The northern area of Machakos, being a dormitory zone for the capital of Nairobi and a peri-urban buffer for Kiambu, is developed with useful amenities. Southerly heading the ecology is continually semi-arid and the countryside more desolate.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Masinga Dam
A Guide to Machakos County
A Summa Digest of Machakos
About Machakos Way Back When
45 Destinations in Machakos County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south, east then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, maps and distance chart:
Makuyu Ridge, Masinga Dam, Seven Forks Circuit, Mwea National Reserve, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Ol Donyo Sapuk Resort, MacMillan Castle, Fourteen Falls, Yatta Plateau, Kanzalu Range, AIC Kangundo, The Komarock Shrine, Hyena Caves, Kitonga Garden Resort, The Thui Stone, African Heritage House, Athi-Kapiti Conservancy, Kwa Kyelu Wildlife Sanctuary, The Whistling Moran, Stony-Athi, Small World Country Club, Swara Plains Conservancy, Lukenya Hills, Kikao Camping Farm, Lukenya Motocross, Maanzoni Sanctuary, Amazing Kenya Retreat, Chumvi Tamu Camp, Konza Technopolis, Machakos Peoples Park, Masaku Flea and Curio Market, Old Fort of Machakos, Gelian Hotel, Kiima Kimwe, Machakos Golf Course, Mua Hills, Mua Hills Tented Camp, Iveti Forest Reserve, AIC Mumbuni, Kituluni Hill, Kamuthanga Farm, Wamunyu Handicrafts
Know More About Machakos County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like in Machakos?
Climate in much of the area is pleasant and similar to that of Nairobi, with temperature varying between 18oC and 29oC. And, rain is heaviest in March, April and September.
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.16?
Machakos County has rather unique topographical map – Hills and a small plateau in the mid area, a large plateau elevated in the south, and isolated hillscape in the north.
Abiri Kenya 