One of the oldest dams, believed to be constructed in the 14th or 16th century, stands at 82 feet high and 295 feet long, with a reservoir capacity of 1.6 million cubic meters
8. Tonnur Kere (Moti Talab Dam), India
Built in the 12th century by Saint Ramanujacharya, this dam is known as the "lake of pearls." It is 145 meters long and 230 meters tall
7. Sadd-E Kobar Dam, Iran
Established in the 10th century AD, this arch-gravity dam on the Kobar River is about 25 meters high and 82 meters long, aiding in irrigation and flood protection
6. Sayamaike Dam, Japan
Constructed in the 7th century AD during the Asuka period for flood control and irrigation. It spans 18.5 meters in length, holding 2.8 million cubic meters of water
5. Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut), India
Dating back to the 2nd century AD, built by Karikala Chola of the Chola Dynasty, this dam is pivotal for irrigation in Tamil Nadu, with dimensions of 329 meters by 20 meters and a height of 5.4 meters
4. Kaerumataike Dam, Japan
Built in 162 AD, this dam on the Yodo River is the biggest freshwater lake in the region, essential for drinking water in Kansai. It measures 260 meters in length and 17 meters in height
3. Cornalvo Dam, Spain
A Roman gravity dam from the same era as the Proserpina Dam, it is 24 meters high and 194 meters long, supplying water to Merida and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993
2. Proserpina Dam, Spain
Constructed in the 1st or 2nd century AD, this dam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built to supply water to Emerita Augusta. It spans 427 meters in length and stands 22 meters high
1. Lake Homs Dam (Quatinah Barrage), Syria
The world's oldest dam, operational since 284 AD, was originally attributed to an Egyptian King but later studies suggest Roman Emperor Diocletian as the builder. It underwent an expansion in 1938 to hold 200 million m³ of water