Background Information
The Nile River is often considered to be the longest river in the world. It spans across 11 countries, beginning in Ethiopia and stretching through South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt, on its winding journey of 4,148 miles (6,695 kilometers) before emptying in the Mediterranean Sea. Though the Nile River is very long and winds in many directions, two branches make up its entire course–the White Nile and the Blue Nile.
White Nile
The White Nile is a river that springs from the Great Lakes region of Central Africa and is the largest tributary of the Nile River system. Though it mainly travels through the remote tropical rain forests in the country of Burundi, it also flows through Rwanda and through the Central African Republic before it reaches the Uganda border. It then continues on to join with the Blue Nile in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.
The White Nile is considered to be the “true” source of the Nile River, as the White and Blue Niles meet in Khartoum to form the true body of the river. The damming of the White Nile has caused devastating effects on the land and wildlife of the region, stopping migratory fish and eliminating the water source necessary to sustain the basin’s wetland ecosystem.
Blue Nile
The Blue Nile is the other tributary of Nile River, and is considered to be the source of the Nile’s water and sediment, a fact which makes it invaluable to the areas it provides resources to. The Blue Nile all begins in the Ethiopian Highlands, and then travels for more than 800 miles through Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt.
The Blue Nile is praised for its ability to water crop lands in otherwise arid climates, providing lands with the ability to nurture different species of plants. Despite this, the Blue Nile is also responsible for much of the silt deposits in the lower reaches of the Nile. Typically the deposits are a major issue in the downstream parts of the river, but much of the sediment can be beneficial if it is managed and used properly.
Impact of The Two Tributaries on Egypt
The People of Egypt have for centuries relied heavily on the waters of the Nile for their livelihood, both culturally and economically. The floods from the two tributaries replenish water reserves, provide topsoil nutrient sources, and generate electricity all which form the backbone of the country.
The Nile’s tributaries are highly important for the country, not just for the air and water sources but also for navigation purposes. As much of the country is desert, it is vital for the Egyptians to be able to access points to cross the Nile such as dams, ferries, and bridges.
Nile’s Tributaries and Its Surrounding Nations
The tributaries of the Nile River aren’t just important to Egypt; they are also important to many countries surrounding the Nile. The two branches vital to the economy and transportation of the countries in the Nile Basin such as Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania Rwanda, and Burundi.
As of recent years, the tributaries of the Nile have become even more important since they are the source of electricity and irrigation systems in many of these countries in the basin. The dams on the two branches have become a source of tension between the upstream and downstream nations.
Environmental Impact of Tributaries of the Nile River
Despite the benefits of the tributaries mentioned above to the economies of the countries in the basin of the Nile River, these tributaries have had a significant impact on the environment.
The Blue Nile is a direct source of pollution, especially in the downstream sections. As both of these rivers are the direct sources of water for many countries, the efficient use of this precious commodity has been an important factor in dealing with its surrounding environment.
The Nile’s tributaries have been dammed in order to provide freshwater to the people living in its surrounding countries. This has led to problems such as decreased fish populations due to the lack of migration passage to the sea or in some cases a drying up of the river itself.
Erosion of the Nile River
One of the most pressing issues with the tributaries of the Nile River is their erosion of the river banks. The Blue Nile, especially, is notorious for its erosive powers over the banks of the Nile during periods of high discharge.
The erosive powers of the Blue Nile and White Nile have become a pressing issue for the people living in the basin of the river. Improved techniques for bank protection has been implemented in some sections of the river to mitigate potential damage, but the solution often brings about its own host of impacts, such as the destruction of wildlife habitats.
Agricultural Impact
The Nile tributaries are not only significant for its electricity and navigation, but also for its agricultural benefit. The floods that occur in the riparian countries of the Nile Basin provide farmers the opportunity to cultivate single cropping seasons in otherwise arid climates.
The high water levels of the river also offer raw materials and energy sources to power agricultural machinery that comes with large-scale farming. This has resulted in increased production of rice, beans, and various other crops that rely on irrigation, making the farming communities parts of the Nile region much more self-sufficient.
Cultural Impact
The rivers of the Nile, particularly the two tributaries, are not only important for water and energy resources, but they are also of great cultural significance. Nearly all of the countries through which the Nile passes have temples, monuments, and other historical buildings that have been built alongside the rivers.
It is also believed that the gods of the old Egyptian society, Horus and Isis, lived beside the rivers of the Nile, making it an important religious area to many Egyptians. As such, the people living in the region attach more than just practical importance to the rivers, viewing the Nile and its tributaries as a spiritual part of their heritage and culture.
Current Challenges
Despite the potential for the Nile’s tributaries to improve the lives and livelihoods of their population, challenges remain. There is an ongoing debate as to how best to use the water and energy resources of the Nile Basin.
In addition, damming of the rivers brings its own set of problems this has caused migratory fish to become blocked and there is also the issue of the silt ruining irrigation and drinking water.
There is an increasing need for integrated management of the Sudanese and Ethiopian portions of the rivers through cooperation of these countries, as well as the downstream countries, in order to properly control water and energy utilization.
Development of Hydropower Dams
The development of dams on the rivers of the Nile Basin has the potential to bring great economic development to the region. Several hydroelectric power projects already exist on the two tributaries and the downstream countries such as Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan benefit from this electricity.
The massive energy turbines located in Aswan are a testimony to the power of the Nile, with three massive turbines at the base of the dam converting the river energy into energy that’s used by people all across the region.
Additionally, the construction of hydropower dams can provide flood control, water management, and irrigation. This can, in turn, help to improve agricultural production, allowing for increased yields and better crop quality. This will help to sustain the local population in case of drought and famine.
The Power of Cooperation
At the end of the day, the Nile tributaries provide a common ground for peace, unity, and development. It is of utmost importance for all of the countries involved, upstream and downstream, to come together and reach an agreement that works for everyone.
The world is slowly becoming aware of the importance of collaboration in order to solve the major problems it faces. Politicians, environmentalists, institutions, and engineers must work together to help the regions surrounding the Nile River to make sure that the river is used in a manner that is beneficial to all.
Water Resources Management
It is essential to make sure that the countries in the Nile Basin use resources wisely and efficiently to maintain the sustainability of the Nile River and its tributaries. This is only possible with a comprehensive water resources management system that emphasizes cooperation and coordination.
This would include establishing regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure that water quality and river flows are managed in a manner that protects both the environment and the people in the Nile Basin.
Conclusion and Impact of Global Warming
The Nile and its tributaries have been the lifeblood of many countries for centuries, providing water and energy resources to the region. The impact of global warming and climate change will continue to pose a great risk to the region, as floods and droughts become more frequent.
It is essential for all countries involved to come together and cooperate in order to ensure that the Nile River and its tributaries are used sustainably and in a manner that benefits everyone. There is much potential for the tributaries of the Nile to continue to offer their resources, so long as the countries in the region commit to managing their resources wisely.
