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Aswan Reservoir: Balancing Benefits and Costs

Learn about the Aswan High Dam's impact on agriculture, flood control, power production, and more. Understand its morphometric data, benefits, costs, sedimentation issues, and future implications for developing countries. Explore the lessons learned and potential solutions for sustainable development.

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Aswan Reservoir: Balancing Benefits and Costs

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  1. Aswan Reservoir Jennifer Sieracki

  2. Location

  3. 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

  4. Morphometric Data • Mean depth = 25 m • Max depth = 130 m • Surface area = 6,216 km2 • Volume = 157 km3 • Surface elevation = 183 m asl • Length = 496 km • Max Width = 12 km • Shoreline:length = 18:1 Photo credit: J. Sieracki

  5. Morphometric Characteristics

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

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

  8. Northern Sector: Fully Lacustrine

  9. Middle Sector: Semi-riverine

  10. Southern Sector: Fully Riverine

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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 262.1-4 (2002): 68-83. Print. • Modeled the possible long-term hydrologic effects of irrigation projects occurring in the Western Desert

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

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

  19. Sedimentation Latif 1984

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. Questions?

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