General Impacts of Aswan High Dam

Abstract

The Aswan High Dam in Egypt has been the focus of considerable attention with respect to its impact upon the environment. Prior to its completion in 1971, critics of the project voiced concern about the potential problems of sedimentation in the reservoir, downstream scour, riverbed degradation and coastal erosion, proliferation of disease vectors, and decreased soil fertility in the Egyptian Delta. The extent and degree of these and other environmental changes directly associated with the Aswan High Dam have been examined. Deleterious effects from the project have been placed in perspective against its derived benefits. Remedial measures for environmental damage as implemented currently by Egypt are described. It is concluded that through careful water resource management, the Aswan High Dam will continue to provide Egypt with benefits for the long‐term future and the environmental problems can be effectively dealt with.