Overview:

The Aswan High Dam in Egypt is a hydroelectric dam situated on the Nile River in the south of Egypt. The dam was built in 1971 and is located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. It is the largest dam in the world in terms of its height and length. The Aswan High Dam's reservoir has a 2.3 billion cubic meters (2.61 million acre-feet) capacity, making it one of the most effective water regulation devices in the world. The dam has become a major source of hydroelectric power across Africa, producing 18,000 MW of electricity. It also helps reduce soil erosion, controls downstream floods, raises the water level of the Nile during dry seasons, and irrigates land along its length. The dam's construction has also blocked off the Nile from the Mediterranean Sea, which has created a new lake, Lake Nasser, which spans more than 5,250 square kilometers (2,020 square miles). It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. Construction: The Aswan High Dam is an embankment dam built across the Nile from 1960–1970. 2. Reservoir: The dam stores water and generates hydropower, making it a major source of electricity in Egypt. 3. Benefits: It prevents flooding, regulates the flow of the river, and makes irrigation and water supply possible in the desert. 4. Power Production: It has 18 turbines in the generator station, each producing 170 MW of electricity. 5. Environment: The dam significantly impacted the environment, both positively and negatively. It reduces sediment transport downstream, helping to build up soil on the delta, but also reduces the Nile’s natural fertilizing capabilities, leading to over extraction of ground water to replace the missing nutrients for agriculture. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Aswan High Dam is a large embankment dam in Egypt, located 12 km south of Aswan on the River Nile. Construction of the dam began in 1960 and was completed in 1970. It has an overall length of 3800 meters with an average height of 111 meters. Its main purpose is to control flooding of the Nile River and to provide hydroelectric power, irrigation, and industrial and domestic water supply. The dam is made up of seven major components: 1. An earthfill embankment; 2. The spillway; 3. The power station; 4. The power house complex; 5. The navigation locks; 6. The surcharge of the reservoir; and 7. The main sluices. The construction of the dam was funded largely by the Soviet Union and cost an estimated US$1 billion at the time of construction. Its importance was mainly because of its scope and the large quantities of water it could store. Its impact on surrounding communities was also significant, both in terms of economic and physical development. The reservoir behind the dam was used to irrigate an additional 200,000 acres of land, allowing for an increase in agricultural production. The first hydroelectric generator went online in 1964, adding a significant source of electricity shortly before the completion of the dam. The dam also helped to control the flooding of the Nile River, reducing the risk of destructive floods in villages and towns downstream. Since its completion in 1970, the Aswan High Dam has had a tremendous impact on the region. It has allowed for greater agricultural production, increased hydroelectric power, improved navigation, and increased protection from floods. The reservoir that forms behind the dam is also a popular tourist destination and provides much of the water used for farming and industrial development. The dam is emblematic of Egypt's progress and modernity, and continues to be an important source of water and power for the country. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Aswan High Dam is located across the Nile river in Egypt and is one of the largest embankment dams in the world. 2. The Raising of the Aswan High Dam caused a rise of 116 meters in the level of the Nile river. 3. The dam is over 3800m long, 980m thick at the base and 111m at its highest point. 4. The dam was built between 1960-1971, to help regulate the Nile and provide electricity to Egypt. 5. Since The Aswan High Dam was built, it has provided Egypt with 6 million kilowatts of hydro power and prevented Egypt from an annual inundation of the Nile. 6. Over 15 million people have been relocated since the completion of the dam to ensure local access to irrigation water. 7. The Aswan High Dam has created Lake Nasser that covers an area of 5200 square kilometres, the largest man made lake in the whole world. 8. The growth of green algae in Lake Nasser has caused a decrease in the PH level of the Nile which has harmed local fish and plant species. 9. The dam has also caused a decrease in the ecology of the Nile River region and the surrounding environment. 10. Despite the environmental impact, the Aswan High Dam still plays an essential role in energy production and water supply for the people of Egypt. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era