Economical Thresholds
With the dramatic increase in the human population of the African continent, the appropriate thresholds for flood control and water management along the Nile has been a hot-button issue for many years. As such, the Nile River no longer floods in its entirety, as is it is managed by a series of thresholds and protected by dams, embankments and other measures. The primary purpose of these measures is to ensure enough water is delivered to Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia and yet, at the same time, to protect downstream settlements and people from the hazard of floods and debris flows.
Prior to modern times, the yearly flooding of the Nile River was so deep and extensive, it was believed to be a blessing of the gods. Now, to avoid destruction and water shortages, the natural flooding of the river is controlled through a number of different systems.To this end, the governments of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have collaborated to create the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). This joint effort is responsible for establishing the thresholds and parameters for the management of the river.
The NBI Website states that the optimal levels for the head end of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt should sit between 161 and 170 meters. By working to maintain the lake level within that range, maximum irrigation benefits are achieved. As the lake rises above the threshold, the additional water is released from the dam, thereby allowing an influx of river flow downstream and avoiding any hazard of flooding in downstream regions.
Environmental Degradation
In some areas, the process of controlling the natural flood cycle of the Nile River has had deleterious environmental effects. According to a study conducted by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), the natural flooding of the Nile used to replenish the soil with each cycle, however this process is no longer happening as a result of human intervention.
The WWF study notes that since the establishment of the Aswan High Dam, silt deposits in the delta have decreased by some twelve million tonnes each year. In addition, the natural flow of the river has been irrevocably altered, resulting in a decrease in biodiversity and a decrease in the nutrition levels of the soil. Overall, this threatens the long-term agricultural productivity in the region.
The Impact of Climate Change
Unfortunately, along with human interference, climate change has also been a major factor in regard to the ongoing flood control of the Nile. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), climate change has caused an 8 -10% decrease in precipitation in the region and an 8% reduction in river flow. Further, the intensity of drought in the region has increased drastically since 1965.
When coupled with the extreme heat events of 2019 that caused a significant threat to both flora and fauna in the region, it is understandable why the government of Egypt has been actively working to ensure that the water level in the Nile River remains sustainable. As a result, the yearly flooding has diminished to a great degree.
Political Implications
The management of threshold levels of the Nile River have far-reaching political implications. This is because the ability to control the amount of water available in the region can be used to influence how much of the surrounding areas are irrigated or supported. The fact that the remainder of the African continent has been largely excluded from being a major stakeholder in the NBI has caused dissention among the majority of nations.
Recently, Ethiopia has been pushing for Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to reduce their influence so the other states in the region can be part of the decision-making process. Furthermore, the fact that the majority of water originates in Ethiopia and Sudan, yet Egypt is the major stakeholder has caused considerable tensions between the three countries.
Societal and Cultural Impact
The Nile River has, throughout the ages, been deeply embedded in both the culture and history of the region, and such, its control has had deep impacts on society in the region. In a report published by the Indian Journal of Engineering and Material Sciences (IJEMS), it is noted that while the yearly flooding was once a sign of abundance, its diminishing has led to a loss of the favorable cultural benefits it once provided.
Additionally, while the reservoirs behind the Aswan High Dam have allowed a greater stability of water availability, this is often at the expense of those further downstream who, according to the report, are predominantly lower-income communities. These downstream areas are not only vulnerable to flooding, but also to reductions in hydropower and decreased quality and availability of irrigation water.
Alternative Flood Control Strategies
In response to the economic, environmental, political and societal issues created by the control of the Nile River, there have been a number of alternative strategies suggested. One such suggestion is the building of upstream reservoirs to store water during times of high flow, so it can be released when needed to supplement the water availability throughout the river.
An alternative, yet highly controversial suggestion, is the building of nuclear dams. These are structures that store and release water and radioactive waste into the surrounding environment. According to researchers from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), construction of nuclear dams could result in significant energy savings and dramatically reduce the need to bolster upstream reservoirs.
Ethical Challenges
The control of the Nile River presents a unique ethical challenge, in that, it is a question between the ethics of human needs and the morality of preservation for future generations. As indicated by the IJEMS report, the benefits that the control of the river can provide to the people living in the region could be weighed against the potential degradation of ecosystems which, by most people’s opinions, are already under pressure.
When determining a course of action, it is of utmost importance that all considerations are taken into account. In the case of the Nile River, this means that not just the needs of human, but also that of animal and plant habitats should be taken into consideration.
Technological Solutions
In the face of decreasing water availability due to the management of the Nile river, the African continent has invested in a number of innovative measures to supplement water availability. This includes the implementation of decentralized wastewater systems, advanced irrigation technologies and the harnessing of energy from sewer systems to produce electricity.
In addition to this, the creation of ‘water banks’, large underground reservoirs that store natural floodwaters during times of high flow and release them during times of drought is an interesting and viable option for some regions. Similarly, steps are being taken to increase the area of sustainable agricultural farmland and exploring de-salination technologies to make salty coastal water usable for irrigation.
Groundwater Sustainability
Finally, most African countries are actively engaged in incentive programs and legislation to ensure that groundwater reserves are managed sustainably. By establishing targeted legislation and providing incentives to landowners, governments can encourage the adoption of strategies that reduce water consumption and use the resources available to them.
These strategies not only ensure water availability during times of drought, but can also encourage food production, the health of ecosystems and protect communities from flooding. This can lead to increased economic opportunities as farmers and other water users are able to depend on sustainable supplies of groundwater.
Conclusion
The control of the Nile River is an issue that has far ranging implications on the African continent and touches on numerous ethical boundaries. With the diminishing of the regular flooding of the Nile, comes the need to supplement the water availability due to the tremendous strain on resources caused by the population growth in the African continent and the effects of climate change .
The need for Nile River control is made clear and governments must consider the ethical implications of how best to manage this resource and how to allocate the water that is available. The use of alternative flood control strategies and the implementation of incentive programs and legislation to ensure sustainable groundwater reserves can all contribute to promote healthier societies and ecosystems without compromising on rational and ethical grounds.
