Hidden in the depths of Tanzania in East Africa, starts one of the most renowned rivers in the world – the Nile. Spreading across the continent over a staggering 6,695 km long (4,160 miles) and moving through eleven countries – Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda – the Nile has been providing essential resources to the people of Africa for millennia. Despite this, what so many people don’t know is where the Nile River actually begins and how its flow is sustained over thousands of miles and different territories.
The source of the Nile is widely perceived to be Lake Victoria – the world’s largest tropical inland lake. The vast body of water is located on the edge of East Africa and is bordered by Tanzania in the south, Kenya in the east and Uganda in the west. It has an elevation of 1,133 m (3,711 ft) above sea level and it carries the Nile through the Great Lakes region of East Africa.
What many people don’t consider, however, is that the Nile isn’t just Africa’s longest river – it’s also one of the world’s greatest water systems. So, for the Nile to carry its freshwater from the southwest to the Mediterranean, it needs to be supplied by both equatorial and African mountains. The main source of the Nile is Kagera River, which springs from the southeast of lake Victoria before flowing into it and then on towards the Mediterranean Sea from there.
The Kagera River further flows in multiple tributaries through Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi before entering Tanzania – the gateway to the official beginning of the Nile. Although technically, the first waterfall on the Kagera River divide the White and Blue Nile – two of the main branches of the Nile. The Blue Nile springs from Lake Tana in Ethiopia and converges with the White Nile in Khartoum in Sudan.
So, the source of the Nile River is often said to be Lake Victoria, given that its tributary the Kagera River is the main contributing source of water for the Nile. Yet the Nile River cannot be summed up by one single source alone. It’s an enigma of connected lakes and tributaries that all flow in sync to drive one of nature’s most magnificent works of art.
The Nile In Beyond East Africa
The surface of the White and Blue Nile continues to flow northwards, then westward into northern Sudan and then into Egypt. Along its course, the river is also joined by two other significant affluents: the Atbara River, which gives rise to the Atbara tributary; and the Bahr el Ghazal River which gives rise to the Bahr el Ghazal tributary.
At around 2,890 km (1,800 miles), the combined White and Blue Nile reaches Aswan in Egypt, where it creates its famous delta. This is one of the great wonders of Egypt, boasting lush vegetation and an abundance of vibrant birdlife. Egypt’s rich plant and animal diversity, alongside its long and established history and culture, all owe much to the river Nile.
The Nile Delta is a vast area with an enviable geographical presence. Its crescent-shaped mouth covers a total area of around 240 km (150 miles) and spreads out between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Manzala. The Nile, in turn, creates a channel which divides the two areas and nourishes them with fresh water.
The natural resources and rich soil of the delta make it an ideal place to support significant food and industrial production. It’s also one of the only agricultural areas in the world to receive its water entirely from a single river – and the historical significance of the fertile banks of the delta is why the ancient civilization of Egypt was based along the river’s course.
The Impact Of Dams On The Nile
Given the importance of the Nile to life and resources in both East and North Africa, it’s not surprising that many countries have taken advantage of the river. Across the continent, seven countries have constructed the Aswan Dam on the Egyptian border, the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam, and other dams and barrages.
Dams have had various positive and negative impacts. On the plus side, dams have enabled countries to control the flow of the river and store water to use during periods of drought. In particular, they have allowed Ethiopia to develop irrigation and hydroelectric power, which are crucial aspects of its economy.
On the other hand, these dams have affected the flow of the river in Egypt, causing browning and disrupting farming along the banks of the Nile. Moreover, dams appear to be largely impervious to the effects of climate change and global warming, so the water levels in the river tends to fluctuate more, leading to flooding and drought cycles.
The construction of these dams has also added an extra burden to the environment. As the dams have been built in various phases, the natural habitats go through long phases of disruption, culminating in the loss of plant and animal species from the vicinity. This change has eroded the Nile’s natural biodiversity, pressuring local ecosystems.
The Egyptians are perhaps best known for their intricate irrigation techniques and canal networks, which both stem from the river. Ancient techniques allowed thousands of people to work and transport goods in the area. Navigating the banks of the Nile was an ancient art, with expertly constructed wooden ships made to a highly standardised design.
The first accurate maps of the river were created by Ptolemy, the famed ancient Greek geographer and astronomer, who documented passages and sailing directions on the river. The ships used a technique called ‘pole sailing’, where two crew were employed to use giant poles, which were sometimes taller than the sail, to steadily push their vessel up the river.
As history records, this form of transport was the ideal way to explore the Nile’s rich resources, and it remained a popular means of transportation in Egypt until the 1800s. While many of the elaborate navigational maps of the Nile have been lost to time, some of these ancient maps remain engraved on the walls of Egypt’s grand temples and palaces, testament to their long and wondrous history.
Modern Uses Of The River
Today, the river is still widely used by people across East Africa to generate power, transport goods and provide irrigation. There are a number of new technologies and methods in place to help safeguard and control the riverflow. For example, satellite systems are in place to monitor changes in river level and flow. This helps local communities plan ahead for major events, such as floods or drought, and aid in the shared management of land.
What’s more, various parts of the river are also used for recreational purposes today. Some of the most popular activities include fishing, boating and swimming. There’s also an integrated system of dams, irrigation systems, canals, and reservoirs in place to help both countries and individuals use the river as a vital source of income, as well as for food production and energy.
The Nile is an anomaly of engineering and art, history and beauty. From its inception in East Africa, to its northward journey towards the Mediterranean, tens of millions of people have depended on this great river. Constantly evolving and adapting to the growing needs of its population, the Nile continues to be a vital part of African culture and civilization.
Environmental Challenges Facing The Nile
Throughout its history, the Nile has been a victim to environmental obstacles and challenges. This is largely a result of human interference in the river’s natural course. Coastal erosion and sediment accumulations are two common problems experienced across the region, particularly along the delta. This is due to both dams preventing the flow of sediment and the overpopulation of settlements within the confines of the river.
Overfishing is also a major issue for the Nile, with a number of species becoming extinct. Wasting of resources, especially in terms of water usage, is also pervasive. In parts of Egypt and Sudan for example, demand for water often outweighs its availability.
Climate change has been having a large impact on the Nile region in recent years, causing extended droughts and severe storms that have had far-reaching consequences. As in the rest of the world, rising temperatures are contributing to evaporative loss and seawater encroachment of the rivers waters, endangering the Nile’s natural ecological diversity.
In terms of its location, the Nile is uniquely positioned and dependent on foreign input. The governments of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt are currently in delicate negotiations over apportioning water to each country, which has yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Protecting The Future Of The Nile
The future of the Nile lies in the hands of the nations and people that share the river. As such, environmentally friendly measures and conservation techniques have become increasingly important in preserving the river. A number of nonprofit organisations have been established to promote this goal, among them the International Water Management Institute.
Other organisations, such as the Blue Nile Foundation, have also put forward innovative approaches to restoring the river. Blue Nile supports local communities to be stewards of the environment and to develop livelihood solutions. The foundation also invests in research and development, education, and policy initiatives that help protect and restore the river system.
In the more immediate future, the Nile’s water resources can be optimised with better irrigation, crop rotation and distribution of water away from the more populous areas upriver. Governments and public opinion should steer towards the common goal of creating savable solutions to protect the Nile’s precious waters.
