Aswan Dam - The world high dam hydroelectricity

The Aswan Dam is an embankment dam situated across the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt. Since the 1960s, the name commonly refers to the High Dam. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the Egyptian Government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, as the ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity were seen as pivotal to Egypt's industrialization. The High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970, and has had a significant impact on the economy and culture of Egypt.

Before the dams were built, the Nile River flooded every year during late summer, when water flowed down the valley from its East African drainage basin. These floods brought high water and natural nutrients and mineralsthat annually enriched the fertile soil along the floodplain and delta; this had made the Nile valley ideal for farming since ancient times. Because floods vary, in high-water years the whole crop might be wiped out, while in low-water years widespread drought and famine occasionally occurred. As Egypt's population grew and conditions changed, both a desire and ability developed to control the floods, and thus both protect and support farmland and the economically important cotton crop. With the reservoir storage provided by the Aswan dams, the floods could be lessened and the water stored for later release.

  

Location of the Aswan Dam in Egypt
Official name	Aswan High Dam
Location	Egypt
Coordinates	23°58′14″N 32°52′40″ECoordinates: 23°58′14″N 32°52′40″E
Construction began	1960
Opening date	1970
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment
Impounds	River Nile
Height	111 metres (364 ft)
Length	3,830 metres (12,570 ft)
Width (base)	980 metres (3,220 ft)
Spillway capacity	11,000 cubic metres per second (390,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates	Lake Nasser
Total capacity	132 cubic kilometres (107,000,000 acre·ft)
Surface area	5,250 square kilometres (2,030 sq mi)
Max. length	550 kilometres (340 mi)
Max. width	35 kilometres (22 mi)
Max. water depth	180 metres (590 ft)
Normal elevation	183 metres (600 ft)
Power station
Commission date	1967–1971
Turbines	12× 175 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	2,100 MW