Water managementin a LEDC.

Case Study: water management

The Aswan High Dam

The Aswan Dam was an enormous project begun in the 1960's by both the Egyptian and Sudanese governments for the purpose of providing hydroelectric power and supplying water for irrigation.

(the Aswan High Dam)

Commissioning of the Dam

In 1954, Egypt requested loans from the World Bank to help pay for the cost of the Dam( which eventually added up to US$1 billion). The Egyptian government also nationalised the Suez canal, and there were various other private and non-governmental organisations who were willing to contribute to its construction.

Although hydroelectric power and irrigation are very important aspects to the Dam, it had many objectives in its initial construction.

Objectives of the Dam

·Provide the water/energy needs of the egyptian people

·through hydroelectric power.

·Protect the Nile River course

·Improved navigation

·Stable agricultural development

·Irrigation

The Aswan Dam has played a vital part to the Egyptian Economy, and has also successfully achieved most of its aims.

English: Benjamin Franck, picture taken by myself ...

English: Aswan low dam, Egypt Français : Partie a...

English: View on Aswan Dam (Lake Nasser) from top ...

However, it has had both positive and negative effects on agriculture, the environment and even the Egyptian people.

Positive aspects of the Dam

·The generation of hydroelectricity has provided power to many villages.

·Controls floods, preventing damage from floods downstream.

·New farms have been created in the desert using irrigated water form Lake Nasser.

·Provided an opportunity for Recreation and tourism.

·Created new industry in the area around Lake Nasser, providing jobs for more people

Negative aspects of the Dam

·Dramatically changed the migratory patterns of fish and other wildlife

·Has had a negative impact on fisheries in other areas of the country

·It is a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes, causing an increase in Malaria.

·Consistently wet irrigation channels means an increase in schistosomiasis (caused by a parasite that is spread by snails living in...