[1] The Kossou Dam Project was completed under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme, the agency involved being the Authorite de Valle du Bandama (ADV).

[1] Besides the generation of power, the creation of the lake was intended to encourage the local population to remain in the area and use the water for irrigating their crops, and it was also hoped that a fishing industry would develop.

In 1975 the lake reached its greatest height above sea level of 193 m (633 ft), at which point its surface area was about 50% of its full potential.

[2]: 95  In 1983, a serious drought and extensive wildfires devastated the crops and the coffee and cacao plantations near the lake, causing great economic loss.

By 1975, species caught in the lake included the Nile perch (Lates niloticus), Distichodus rostratus, Alestes baremoze, Brycinus nurse, Labeo senegalensis, Pellonula afzeliusi, the African butter catfish (Schilbe mystus) and the mudfish (Clarias anguillaris).