Aswan High Dam Egypt

Before the dam was built the Nile River overflowed its banks once a year But there were some years when the river did not rise at all No one knew exactly when the floods would occur Point one… talking about the inundation.. Where the Nile River deposited four million tons of nutrient-rich silt on the valley floor, making Egypt's otherwise dry land productive and fertile. Point two but when it didn’t …. it caused widespread drought and famine. Flood plain of the Nile

The Aswan Dam Capture flood water Increased land productivity 1899, construction of the first Aswan Dam was begun Completed in 1902, its height was raised in subsequent building campaigns of 1907-12 and 1929-34 An embankment dam is a gravity dam formed out of loose rock, earth, or a combination of these materials. The upstream and downstream slopes of embankment dams are flatter than those of concrete gravity dams. In essence, they more closely match the natural slope of a pile of rocks or earth. Embankment dams are very low in height compared to their length. The wall of the dam has a gently sloping curve. They are normally made of clay, stones and rock although concrete is used as well. Enough rock was used in the construction of the Aswan high Dam to build 17 Great pyramids at Giza During Inundation or the rainy season this dam capture and stores all the excess water, This allows people to control the release of the this water during times of dought the land to include cultivation of more crops during the year time Original Aswan Dam, at a 100 ft. height

Lake Nassar Lake Nasser was created behind the Aswan High Dam In the early 1950s, designs began to be drawn for what was to become the High Dam as Aswan. The water that is captured from the mighty Nile River is stored in the world’s third largest reservoir called Lake Nassar. It was named after Egyptian president Gamal Abdal-Nassar. He pledged to control his country’s annual flood with a giant new dam across the Nile river. His plan worked. . It is the largest artificial lake in the World (310 miles in length).

Aswan High Dam Located in Aswan, Egypt, 4 miles south of the old Aswan Dam The Aswan High Dam is 11,811 feet long 3215 feet thick at the base 364 feet tall It captures the mighty Nile River in the world's third largest reservoir, Lake Nasser. In 1952, Egyptian president Gamal Abdal-Nasser pledged to control his country's annual flood with a giant new dam across the Nile River. His plan worked.

Facts about Aswan High Dam 12 turbines which generate over 10 billion kilowatts of electricity every year Construction started on the dam in 1960 and it was completed in 1971 30,000 Egyptian people worked day and night to build the Aswan High Dam The Soviet Union helped the Egyptian government to build the dam. 10 billion kilowatts enough electricity to power one million color television for 20 years

Advantages of the Dam It is also a hydro-electric power station Created many jobs while being built Factories also use the water for cooling and for making things Plenty of fresh and clean drinking water for the people of Egypt The dam has meant that there is plenty of fresh and clean drinking water for the people of Egypt. They get their drinking water from Lake Nasser. 2) The Aswan Dam is also a hydro-electric power station. It has 12 turbines or engines which produce 10 billion kilowatts of electricity every year. The water from the river Nile turns the turbines and makes electricity. The electricity is taken from the dam by cables and is used in factories and home all over Egypt. People use the electricity for cooking, lighting, watching television and many other activities. 3) Water from Lake Nasser is pumped into people's homes all over Egypt and is used for washing, drinking and in washing machines. 4) Factories also use the water for cooling and for making things.

Advantages continued The Aswan High Dam has made the River Nile more navigable The Aswan High Dam keeps the depth of the water in the Nile at the same level throughout the year – people are safe! Farmers use water from the River Nile to irrigate their crops Bigger boats can now travel down the River Nile. These boats carry cargo and people who are on cruises. The Aswan High Dam has made the River Nile more navigable. Navigable means that boats can use the river. 6) The Aswan High Dam keeps the depth of the water in the Nile at the same level throughout the year. There are gates in the dam. If the river level is low, more gates can be opened to let more water from Lake Nasser into the river Nile. If the river level is high, then some of the gates can be shut so that the water level can return to normal. 7) Farmers use water from the River Nile to irrigate their crops. Before the Aswan dams were built, the River Nile used to flood every year. No-one knew exactly when the flood would occur. Now, the Egyptian government can flood the land when they need to.

Disadvantages of the Dam The land of Nubia had to be flooded to create the reservoir, which is 310 miles in length 10,000 people had to move from their homes in Nubia to other places in Egypt Sometimes the Aswan High Dam gets blocked by silt and mud The land of Nubia had to be flooded to create the reservoir, which is 310 miles in length. Religious buildings, homes and cemeteries have been lost. They were photographed before the land was flooded. 2) 10 000 people had to move from their homes in Nubia to other places in Egypt. Some of the people did not want to move house. 3) Sometimes the Aswan High Dam gets blocked by silt and mud. It has to be cleaned, which is expensive. The blocked silt and mud can also create diseases in Lake Nasser. If people drank this water they would become ill. The water has to be cleaned before it is suitable to drink. . It has to be cleaned, which is expensive.

Disadvantages continued The temples of Abu Simbel had to be moved The Nile delta is becoming smaller Wildlife is losing its home because the delta is shrinking in size The temples of Abu Simbel had to be moved. This took a long time, as each stone had to be removed individually. 5) Some of the water from Lake Nasser is lost every year (about 15%). This is because some leaks through the dam and the rest is lost by evaporation. This is a waste of water. 6) The Nile delta is becoming smaller. This is because the Nile no longer carries any sediment and pebbles downstream from the dam. The pebbles and sediment get stuck behind the dam. Wildlife is losing its home because the delta is shrinking in size.

Today About 95 percent of Egypt’s population lives within 12 miles of the Nile River More than half of Egypt’s soil is rated medium to poor Increased tourism utilizing the Nile River Farmers are forced to use one million tons of artificial fertilizer

Should the Aswan High Dam You decide ….. Should the Aswan High Dam stay or go?