Aswan Reservoir Jennifer Sieracki

Location

Aswan High Dam Begun in 1959 Goals: –Provide water for agriculture –Prevent release of floodwater to the Mediterranean –Prevent flooding and provide water during droughts –Produce power

Morphometric Data Mean depth = 25 m Max depth = 130 m Surface area = 6,216 km 2 Volume = 157 km 3 Surface elevation = 183 m asl Length = 496 km Max Width = 12 km Shoreline:length = 18:1 Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Morphometric Characteristics

Inflow Virtually no rainfall occurs in the region 84% of floodwaters from the Ethiopian Plateau 16% from the equatorial lakes (Fahim 1981)

Outflow Mostly evaporation Some seepage to the Nubian aquifer Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Northern Sector: Fully Lacustrine

Middle Sector: Semi-riverine

Southern Sector: Fully Riverine

Benefits of the Aswan Reservoir Flood and drought control Increase in agriculture Increase in electrical power Increase in Egypt’s national income Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Costs of Aswan Reservoir Increased seismic activity Disruption of Mediterranean flow circulation Increase of water-born diseases Drowning of archaeological sites Displacement of Nubian peoples Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Costs of the Aswan Reservoir Water loss Salinization and waterlogging Scouring of downstream sections Loss of nutrients Erosion of the Nile Delta Reduced fish catches in the delta Photo credit: ask.com

Waterlogging and Salinization Kim, J., and M. Sultan. "Assessment of the Long-term Hydrologic Impacts of Lake Nasser and Related Irrigation Projects in Southwestern Egypt." Journal of Hydrology (2002): Print. Modeled the possible long-term hydrologic effects of irrigation projects occurring in the Western Desert

Waterlogging and Salinization Aswan Reservoir has reached max capacity Water has overflown into Western Desert Government has two plans for excess water: –Water can be injected back into Nubian Aquifer –Water can be dispersed for agriculture Kim and Sultan 2002

Waterlogging and Salinization Results (for 2020 and 2050): –Increase in waterlogging –Increase in flooding –Increase in salinization –Change in water table will complicate the distribution of groundwater

Sedimentation Floodwaters carry silt from the Ethiopian Plateau Prior to construction of the High Dam: –Nutrient-rich sediments deposited by floodwaters –Silt provided nutrients to the delta estuary –Delta depth was maintained Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Sedimentation Turbid waters from the Ethiopian Plain no longer reach the dam Latif 1984

Sedimentation Latif 1984

Sedimentation Problems created by sedimentation: –Lake infilling –Erosion downstream of dam –Deepening of the Nile delta –Loss of nutrients to farm lands –Loss of nutrients to the delta estuary Photo credit: NASA.gov

Lessons for the Future Developing countries in the tropics are considering similar projects Must understand problems associated with large dams Alternatives may include programs in: –Population control –Rural development –Efficient ag production Photo credit: J. Sieracki

Questions?