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Aswan High Dam
An engineering marvel Aswan High Dam that was completed in 1970 on the Nile River in Egypt. It plays a crucial role in the irrigation system, generating hydroelectric power and controlling the flood. This dam transformed the Egyptian economy in the agricultural landscape by providing security of water and sustainable energy.
Historical Background of Dam
In ancient times, the Nile had religious significance as well. It was considered as the gift from the gods and assumed it as “Father of Life”or “Mother of All Men”. During the 19th century Egypt was struggling to find a solution for managing the water and flood of the Nile. So,In 1902 British built Aswan Low Dam on the Nile before High Dam which helped a lot but proved insufficient in managing the seasonal floods. Later on the idea of improving the structure proposed in the 20th century for facing the current challenges. Under the rule of president Gamal Abdel Naseer, the construction of Aswan High Dam Started in 1960 in collaboration with the Soviet Union. This project was completed after 10 years in 1970 and there was also the relocation of thousands of Nubian people. There was also the creation of the world's largest artificial lake in this project.
Structure of Aswan High Dam
It stands 111 meter high and 3830 meter long containing 12 turbines which produces 2.1 gigawatts of energy. The dam was built with the rockfills and clay which holds almost 43 million cubic meter material. There were intake tunnels that ensured the efficient water flow which generates hydraulic power and is the main source of power supply in Egypt. There is Lake Naseer along the dam which extends for 500 kilometers and a sufficient storage for water distribution. The design of the Aswan High Dam integrates in a way to monitor the water levels very smoothly.
Benefits of Aswan High Dam
The dam is beneficial for country development as:
- It provides electric power to industries and urban areas.
- It reduces the use of fossil fuels for power generation.
- It provides protection from the floods of the Nile to Egypt.
- It provides consistent water to the million acres of farmland.
- It provides enough water from the storage during drought periods.
Effects or Challenges of Aswan High Dam
Despite from the numerous benefits of dam there were also some challenges that people faced after its completion:
- There were displacement of thousands of people of Nubian culture which led to a lot of difficulties due to Lake Naseer.
- Due to the change of water flow the population of fishes changed which caused problems for the fisheries.
- There was an increase of salinity in farmland noticed in some areas after this project.
- Also due to the reduction of the sediment flow the fertility and coastal stability was noticed as well.
Best Time To Visit:
The dam is open to visit all days but the best time is to visit during the months of October to April when the temperature is cooler and you can enjoy the panoramic view of the lake Naseer. There were also tour guides available which can explain the history and engineering facts of the dam.
Nearby Attractions:
During your visit to Aswan High Dam you can also visit nearby attractions in a single day:
- An ancient Philae Temple which is dedicated to the god Isis is only 5 km away from High Dam.
- Explore the rich history and culture of Nubian civilization at Nubian Museum which is only 16 km away.
- Abu Simbel Temple that is dedicated to Ramses II which is relocated to protect from the submersion by Naseer Lake.
Aswan high dam is considered as a marvelous engineering project and plays a vital role in modern Egypt energy needs. The discussion about the management of water and maintenance of the dam still continues. This dam helps Egypt manage its natural resources and attracts tourists for a visit during their stay or trip to Aswan.
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