Volta River

Volta River
River
The Adome Bridge crosses the Volta river south of the Akosombo Dam.
Countries	Ghana, Burkina Faso
Mouth	Gulf of Guinea
- location	Atlantic Ocean
- coordinates	5°46′N 0°41′E / 5.767°N 0.683°E / 5.767; 0.683Coordinates: 5°46′N 0°41′E / 5.767°N 0.683°E / 5.767; 0.683 [1]
Basin	407,093 km2 (157,179 sq mi) [2]
Discharge	mouth
- average	1,210 m3/s (42,731 cu ft/s) [2]
Map of the Volta River and its main three tributaries, the White Volta, Red Volta, and Black Volta rivers.

The Volta River is a river, primarily flowing in Ghana, that drains into the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of Guinea. It has three main tributaries—the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta.

Reservoir

Lake Volta is a reservoir impounded by the Akosombo Dam on the lower Volta River in Ghana. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the world. It extends from the Akosombo Dam in southeastern Ghana to the town of Yapei, some 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the north.

The reservoir's dam generates electricity for the Volta River Authority, and the reservoir provides inland water transport routes. It may be a resource for irrigation and fish farming.

The depth of the river is 45 feet (14 m) below Lake Volta. The Volta River is crossed by the Adome Bridge below the Akosombo Dam and the reservoir.

History

The Volta River was named by Portuguese gold traders in Ghana, it was their farthest extent of exploration before returning (volta is Portuguese for "twist" or "turn").^[3] "River of return" (perhaps because it was where ships turned around and headed for home) or “river of bend,” in reference to its course.^[3]

See also

• Impacts of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Project — environmental and human health issues from the Akosombo Dam and Lake Volta.

References

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