Total cumulative storage capacity of all large dams. According to ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams), a large dam is a dam with a height of 15 m or more from the foundation. If dams are 5-15 metres high and have a reservoir volume of more than three million m3 , they are also classified as large dams. However, each country has its own definition of large dams and if information on other dams in a country is available it is also included. The value indicates the theoretical initial capacity, which does not change with time. The current or actual dam capacity is the state of the dams at a given time that can be decreased by silting.
Detailed information on African dams can be found in the AQUASTAT geo-referenced database on African dams on http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/damsafrica/index.stm.