An Overview of the Environmental and Anthropogenic Hazards Threatening Lake Nasser, Egypt National Water Reservoir

Abstract

Lake Nasser is the most significant man-made creature in Egypt built during its history. It was created by impounding of the Nile water by the Aswan High Dam, which was built in the 1960s and operated since the year 1971. From that date, it represents the national water storage for Egypt. Therefore, it is a must to keep the lake water unthreatened by any factor or feature of local/outside origin. Understanding the geomorphic aspects of the Lake is a pre-requisite for the analysis of the hazards threatening Lake Nasser as Egypt National Water Reservoir. Lake Nasser is threatened by several factors. The most dangerous threat comes from Ethiopia, where a new huge dam (El-Nahda/Renaissance) is under construction on the Blue Nile which provides Egypt with more than 50% of its water needs. This dam will deprive Egypt from some of its share in Nile water during filling of the dam and its operation, resulting in a decrease in the stored water, lowering the lake level, and reduction in electricity production. Locally, the Lake Nasser storage capacity is shrinking due to the continual filling of its basin by dune sands and Nile silt. High evaporation rates will deprive the Lake and consequently Egypt from 10 to 18 billion m³/year.