NileSim: A Windows-Based Hydrologic Simulator of the Nile River Basin

Abstract

The development of river basin policy and management plans involves a spectrum of concerned parties and organizations, only a small fraction of which are presented by technical professionals. Easily-used and highly-interactive computer simulations provide one means by which these individuals can develop a conceptual and intuitive understanding for the complex physical behavior of river systems. NileSim is a Windows-based simulator of the complete Nile River basin. NileSim was developed principally for the educational purpose of explaining complex river behavior and management to nontechnical people. The simulator has been developed in a cost-effective manner, making use of modern software development tools from electronic design automation. This has provided an accurate tool that is fast, graphically intuitive, and simple to use. The tool supports interactive experimentation with a simulated Nile River basin for users to learn by observation how that basin system works.