The Nile River, the world’s longest river, is renowned for the role it played in the development and growth of the ancient Egyptian civilization and is a major source of water for at least four countries, is it possible for this mighty river to flow backward? To answer this question, one must look beyond the physical features of the river and delve into the concept of hydrology.
The truth is, rivers do not actually flow backwards. Instead, when a river begins to overfill, the downstream water can be pushed back up and against the current, resulting in water eventually running backward. This phenomenon occurs in the Nile River when there is an abnormal surge of water coming in from two of its major tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White Nile. This overflow of water pushes against the wall of water downstream, causing the water in the Nile to move in the opposite direction. In other words, the Nile River flows backward when it is overflowing, caused mainly by heavy and uneven rainfall in its watershed areas.
Expert and renowned hydrodynamicist Dr. Krzystof Zamorski explains “intuition tells us that the flow of a river should run only in one direction, but it turns out to be less straightforward than that. In undulating terrains, like in the case of the Nile River, it is possible to experience reverse flow due to several reasons. The main reason is when the head of an elevated source is pushed back by strong opposite flow, eventually resulting in a back flow of water upstream.”
The impacts of a reversal of flow in the Nile River are far-reaching and complex. Studies point out that a backward flow in the Nile River highlights the vulnerabilities that the river’s delicate ecosystem faces when a country or region experiences an uneven and sudden increase in rainfall. Apart from the environmental implications, such a reversal can also lead to long-term economic problems, particularly among the countries that border the Nile.
Swiftly changing precipitation patterns and unfavorable effects of climate change are the two main contributors to the unpredictability of the Nile River’s water levels.
The situation became so severe that in November 2019, the Egyptian Government declared a state of emergency as the medium-term forecast of rains in the Nile basin were expected to be much less than usual. While Egypt had an emergency plan in place, the ensuing water crisis claimed human lives, destroyed crops and led to an overall economic deprivation in the country, raising awareness about the importance of secure water management in times of rapid climatic changes.
Projections of the Future
As the situation stands, the world’s longest river might not be immune to the threat of global warming and its side effects, in particular, erratic climate change. Long-term projections suggest that with rising temperatures, the Nile River could be more prone to backward flows and flooding.
In the worst-case scenario, unpredictable rainfall patterns combined with increased human interference over water bodies can cause the Nile River to run completely dry, resulting in crop failures, water shortages, low electricity levels, and loss of habitats for the many wildlife species that depend on the flow of the Nile River.
Considering such alarming predictions, urgent steps need to be taken to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Nile River. All countries sharing the river must take joint restrictive measures to protect and preserve its resources. Governments must invest in emergency water reserves to bail out from extreme climatic conditions and should encourage citizens to be more efficient with water usage and spread awareness about preventive measures when it comes to water conservation.
Historical Significance
It is hard to deny the importance of the River Nile in human history. From becoming a linking chain between the birthplace of the popular Great Sphinx, the meandering of Moses’ basket, to the discovery of the iconic Tutankhamun’s tomb and more, the River Nile has been an integral part of human civilization.
For hundreds of years, the Nile River has presented an infinite source of resources and inspired awe in millions, yet the river faces an uncertain future due to persistent climate change. Therefore, it is critical to understand and recognize the significance of the Nile’s role in human history, and how its water levels must be managed in order to protect this heritage for future generations.
Making of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt may have saved the long-time day-to-day problems of the region from flooding and increased agricultural productivity and it has helped interconnect the downstream countries de-facto. However, the same dam has had some devastating long term effects on the environment and closed off the supply and cycles of much-needed minerals and sediments to the delta region, leading to soil degradation and desertification.
International Collaboration
In light of the ever-looming threat of extreme weather conditions, one of the most efficient approaches to address the issues of erratic water flows in the Nile River is to collaboratively work on developing sustainability policies between the upstream and downstream countries.
Egypt, being the downstream country, has argued that upstream countries are completely altering the Nile waters without any prior notice and without consulting Egypt. While, on the other hand, the upstream countries have highlighted that as they do not have the required technology, they have to resort to traditional farming methods which increases the water requirements and their need for downstream water.
For a sturdy and beneficial agreement on the Nile’s water control, it is essential that the countries overcome the divide and find common ground, and thus, work on an equitable and long-term management strategy. In a worst-case scenario, Egypt needs to be able to counter any threat to its water supply in case of sudden upstream changes, and look for alternative sources of water supply ahead of any impending disaster.
Relevant Laws and Policies
Today, the renewed effort to find a consensus on the use of the Nile’s waters is the result of legislation passed by three countries, namely the 2015 Ruaha River Basin Water Governance Framework in Tanzania, the Equatorial Nile Waters Agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, and the newly formed Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA).
Additionally, the CFA also covers issues pertaining to data-sharing (a necessity for an active and meaningful dialogue between brokers), along with provisions on dispute avoidance and resolution. All in all, it provides an opportunity not only to reach a consensus on the use of the Nile’s water at a regional level but also the tools needed for the countries to reach such an agreement.
It is well known that in times of hardship it is easy for any international agreement to fall apart and for countries to resort to their own agendas or methods of assigning resources. Such wise, the only way to guarantee sustainability is to have the right legal structure in place and establish a system of trust between stakeholders so legal challenges can be dealt with in an expeditious manner.
The Final Word
While it may not exactly seem logical that the world’s longest river could occasionally move against the flow, the truth is, it is possible. In order to protect the fragile ecosystem of the Nile River and the many countries affected by it, it is essential for all the countries involved to take a collaborative approach to regulate the water levels of the Nile River. If a long-term strategy to manage its waters is adopted and strictly enforced, the Nile will continue to be a source of life and prosperity for many years to come.
