The High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970. Its aim was to increase the amount of hydroelectric power, regulate the flooding of the Nile and increase agricultural production. The Aswan High Dam is 3,830 metres long, 980 metres wide at the base, 40 metres wide at the crest (the top) and 111 metres tall.

Why was the Aswan Low dam built?

The dam was designed to provide storage of annual floodwater and augment dry season flows to support greater irrigation development and population growth in the lower Nile.

Where is the Aswan Dam & Why was it built?

Aswan High Dam is a rock-fill dam located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. The dam is fed by the River Nile and the reservoir forms Lake Nasser. Construction for the project began in 1960 and was completed in 1968. It was officially inaugurated in 1971.

Why is Aswan High Dam important?

The collective benefits of Aswan High Dam (AHD) are increasing the Egyptian water resource, controlling and regulating floods, protecting Egypt from potential frequent droughts, increasing agriculture productivity, and completely regulating the river water.

Why did Egypt need a dam?

The first Aswan dam provided valuable irrigation during droughts but could not hold back the annual flood of the mighty Nile River. In the 1950s, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser envisioned building a new dam across the Nile, one large enough to end flooding and bring electric power to every corner of Egypt.

The NILE RIVER AND ASWAN DAM

26 related questions found

What is the Aswan dam made of?

The enormous rock and clay dam was designed by the Soviet Hydroproject Institute along with some Egyptian engineers. 25,000 Egyptian engineers and workers contributed to the construction of the dams.

What was the purpose of building the new Aswan High Dam quizlet?

What was the purpose of building the New Aswan High Dam? Improve irrigation and provide hydroelectric power.

Was the Aswan Dam a success?

But some experts argue that despite all the costs, the project has been an overwhelming success. The High Aswan allows predictable irrigation. It paid for itself within two years, and shielded Egypt from what would have been a disastrous drought throughout the 1980s, followed by potentially catastrophic floods in 1988.

What is the biggest dam in Egypt?

In the middle of the arid Egyptian desert lies one of the largest embankment dams in the world. It is called the Aswan High Dam, or Saad el Aali in Arabic, and it captures the mighty Nile River in the world's third largest reservoir, Lake Nasser.

What are the positives and negatives to Aswan Dam on the Nile in Egypt?

Soil and Fertility: Although one of the benefits of the Aswan High Dam was the ability of farmers to grow crops year round, the stoppage of the Nile floods has had negative effects as well. The yearly flooding deposited a layer of rich, fertile soil that was excellent for growing crops.

How many dams Egypt has?

Over the past 50 years, six Nile Basin countries have built 25 hydroelectric dams. As of 2019, four dams were under construction with four more being studied.

What is the purpose of a low head dam?

Usually made from concrete, the purpose of a low head dams is to raise the water level upstream on a river. This can assist with navigation of the channel by boats, create a drop for generating hydropower, and make water available at intakes for water supply and irrigation.

Where is the world's largest dam?

Currently, the tallest dam in the world is Nurek Dam on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. It is 984 feet (300 meters) tall. Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet (221.3 meters) tall.

Why does the Aswan High Dam hold so much water?

Aswan High Dam, Egypt. ... Because of the dam's complete control of the Nile's annual flooding, much of the flood and its load of rich fertilizing silt is now impounded in reservoirs and canals, and the silt is thus no longer deposited by the Nile's rising waters on farmlands.

Why was the Aswan dam built on the Nile river quizlet?

Why was it built? To gain flood control, hydroelectric power, and irrigation.

What are some benefits that resulted from the construction of the Aswan High Dam?

The dam benefits Egypt by controlling the annual floods on the Nile and prevents the damage that used to occur along the floodplain. The Aswan High Dam provides about a half of Egypt's power supply and has improved navigation along the river by keeping the water flow consistent.

Which of the following is a benefit created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam?

The collective benefits of Aswan High Dam (AHD) are increasing the Egyptian water resource, controlling and regulating floods, protecting Egypt from potential frequent droughts, increasing agriculture productivity, and completely regulating the river water.

Is the Aswan Dam Good or bad?

The Aswan Dam benefits Egypt by controlling the annual floods on the Nile River and prevents the damage which used to occur along the floodplain. The Aswan High Dam provides about half of Egypt's power supply and has improved navigation along the river by keeping the water flow consistent.

Who built Lake Nasser?

One of the world's largest artificial lakes, Lake Nasser is named after the Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser, who is largely responsible for the lake's creation. President Nasser decided to build the Aswan High Dam across the Nile, forming a lake approximately 550 kilometers (340 miles) long.

What would happen if the Aswan dam burst?

The answer is that a tidal wave of such magnitude would be created that Egypt would essentially cease to exist as a country. Tens of millions of people would be killed, and untold material damage would be created. It would, basically, be the largest single catastrophe in human existence.

What would happen to Egypt without the Nile?

Ancient Egypt could not have existed without the river Nile. Since rainfall is almost non-existent in Egypt, the floods provided the only source of moisture to sustain crops. ... The ancient Egyptians could grow crops only in the mud left behind when the Nile flooded. So they all had fields all along the River Nile.

How might Construction of the dam affect the flow of water through Egypt?

Although both Egypt and Sudan will suffer from water shortage caused by the construction of the dam. Egypt will lose 3 times the quantity lost from Sudan based on 1959 water share agreement. ... It will regulate the steady water flow throughout the year and it will avoid un-expected flooding to downstream countries.

Who owns river Nile?

Today, however, Ethiopia is building the Grand Renaissance Dam and, with it, Ethiopia will physically control the Blue Nile Gorge—the primary source of most of the Nile waters.