Kaptai Lake is the largest man-made lake in Bangladesh. 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 ft and maximum depth is 175 ft.

History

Construction of the reservoir for the hydro-electric plant began in 1956 by the Government of East Pakistan. 54000 acre of farmland in the Rangamati District was submerged with the creation of the lake. The project was finished in 1961. 40% of the total arable land went underwater as a result of the dam construction and 100,000 people were displaced. The palace of the king of the Chakmas was also flooded and is also underwater. 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.

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