The Aswan High Dam was built across the Nile at Aswan, Egypt between 1960 and 1970 with assistance from the Soviet Union. One of the world's largest embankment dams, it was built to control flooding, increase water storage for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity, and it was regarded as central to Egypt's industrialization. Along with the earlier Aswan Low Dam, completed in 1902, it transformed the country's economy and way of life.
Facts
SignificanceWhen the Aswan High Dam was completed, it was the tallest earthen dam in the world, surpassing the Chatuge Dam in the United States. 1 FAQs
Why was the Aswan High Dam built when the Aswan Low Dam already existed?
The Low Dam's small capacity let floods and droughts continue; the High Dam was built to control flooding and store water.
The Low Dam, completed in 1902, was built to regulate the annual flooding of the Nile. Its relatively small capacity meant water continued to pass largely unimpeded down the valley, so floods and droughts continued. The much larger High Dam was built to control flooding and store water for irrigation.
Sources
1. Aswan High Dam (Wikipedia)
Wikipedialead section, first paragraph, construction-dates sentence
The Aswan High Dam, often called simply Aswan Dam was built between 1960 and 1970 across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt.
lead section, second paragraph, sentence on height ranking at completion
When the Aswan High Dam was completed, it was the tallest earthen dam in the world, surpassing the Chatuge Dam in the United States.
status sentence
One of the world's largest embankment dams, it was built to control flooding, increase water storage for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity, and it was regarded as central to Egypt's industrialization.
In Group: Large Dams and Hydroelectric Schemes, Introduction
The Aswan High Dam, often called simply Aswan Dam, was built between 1960 and 1970 across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt.
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