Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River

Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

A.F. Ahmed1 and W.A. Fahmy2
1
Emeritus Professor, the Hydraulics Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Delta Barrages, Egypt,
e-mail: [email protected]
2
Lecturer, Civil Engineering Department, Shoubra Faculty of Engineering, Benha University, e-mail:
[email protected]

Abstract
With the progress of High Aswan Dam "HAD" construction and filling the upstream reservoir, out of an average
annual sediment load of 125 million tons, only about 26.3 million tons passed downstream of the Old Aswan
Dam "OAD" in year 1968 which was enormously decreased to about 2.0 million tons in year 2000. This led to
conclude that, the average annual suspended sediment downstream "HAD" is enormously decreased from 1600
ppm before "HAD" construction to about 50 ppm. So far, several studies anticipated general degradation along
the four Nile River reaches and sever local scour downstream the main hydraulic structures. Therefore, the
present study aimed to explore the variation of water surface levels with time and location along the second
river reach since the construction of "HAD" till year 2010. The daily records of flow discharges and the
corresponding water surface levels along the second reach from year 1962 to 2010 were utilized to deduce the
matching stage discharge rating curves.
Following a similar study for the first Nile River reach, assessment of the attainable water surface levels for
various periods and locations along the second river reach - at passing 200 million m3 / day – revealed that El-
Mataana and El – Shanhoria gauge stations were the only sites subjected to water surface level decline and
possible degradation after "HAD" construction. The decrease reached its maximum value of 0.225 m and 0.115
m at El-Mataana and El-Shanhoria gauge stations respectively at years 1979 and 1980 then turned over to
increase and possible sedimentation at year 1992 for El-Shanhoria gauge station which reached 0.18 m and
0.355 m in years 2000 and 2010 respectively. On the other hand, the downstream part of the study reach from
El-Sheikheya to Qena gauge stations did not subject to any decrease in water surface levels since "HAD"
construction till year 2010. The monitored increase in water surface levels in year 2010 revealed a maximum
value of 0.675, 0.355, 0.575 and 0.460 m at Luxor, El-Shanhoria, El-Sheikheya and Qena gauge stations
respectively with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction. Moreover, the attained results for the
condition before and after "HAD" construction revealed narrow distinction for the variation in longitudinal
water surface slope which ranges between maximum and minimum values of 5.51 cm/km and 4.98 cm/km
respectively. Therefore, unlike the concluded results for the first reach, the second one was not subjected to
significant or considerable variations in the longitudinal water surface slope after "HAD" construction.
Considering the increase in water surface level is due to general sedimentation of 0.516 m as an average value in
year 2010, a total deposited material of 49.16 million m3 was worked out along the represented river reach. This
led to conclude that the second River Nile reach is being subjected after "HAD" construction to general regular
sedimentation and not degradation as expected from several studies.

Keywords: High Aswan Dam Side Effects, Degradation, Sedimentation, Stage Discharge Rating Curves

1. INTRODUCTION

It is nearly half a century since the Nile River annual flood water was first stored upstream "HAD" in 1968
which was completed in 1970 with the installation of the twelfth turbines. According to the early project
documents, three basic functions were specified which are; (1) to store the annual floods by detention to allow
regulated release for irrigation and other purposes throughout the year; (2) to generate hydroelectric power; and
(3) to control high floods through the Nile River reaches which are shown in Fig.(1). Since the project
completion, several changes within the Nile River and its valley in Egypt emerged. Consequently, an immense
side effect points were raised, such as bed degradation; less of fisheries; massive bank erosion; water logging
and salinity; aquatic weeds; reduction in brick industry; loss of fertility by loss of deposited sediment on the
land; and erosion of the seashore of the delta. Most of those side effects were successfully remedied to
guarantee such mitigated impact. However, variation of river bed and water surface levels with time and
location since the construction of "HAD" till now has not been fully explored.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Figure 1: Location of Main Nile River Barrages in Egypt

In order to review the previously attempted researches within the current subject, a distinction should be made
between the general scour (degradation) and the local scour. Degradation can be considered as the river response
to any morphological or hydrological changes in its boundary conditions such as accelerated bank erosion,
cutoffs of river bends. While localized scour can be distinguished in a number of different types such as
downstream of the hydraulic structures, around bridge piers, river constrictions, near spur dikes and guide
banks.

Among the early investigation that was made in (1976) by El-Ansary, A.E. to evaluate the degradation that is
likely to take place under the maximum discharge downstream of "HAD" which was assessed by deduction
from what has actually taken place under present discharges. The "Critical Tractive Stress Theory" was used
under the condition that the Nile River downstream "OAD" is permanently fed with clear water after "HAD"
construction. Knowledge of the critical tractive stress - in this case - together with the hydraulic relationships for
any reach of the Nile River would enable to determine the ultimate stable slope in that river reach under any
anticipated conditions. The corresponding bed drop downstream any barrages can be then worked out when the
distance to which degradation is likely to extend is known. The achieved results of degradation downstream the
main Nile River barrages at year 1974 and the results of the estimated ultimate values as well as the
corresponding affected distance downstream each barrage are listed in Table (1).

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table 1: Estimated Degradation after "HAD" Construction

No. Location Estimated bed lowering Affected distance (km)
(m)
1974 Future** 1974 Future**
1 D.S. of Esna barrages 0.60 5.20 43 193
2 D.S. of Naga-Hammady barrages 0.45 5.20 50 180
3 D.S. of Assuit barrages 0.75 7.80 185 190

In the above Table, [Future**] means the ultimate values after several years of "HAD" operation. Bearing in
mind that the total length of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Nile River reaches are 193.9, 181.8 and 408.7 km long
respectively, this means that the ultimate anticipated degradation would cover 100%, 100% and 46% of the
mentioned three reaches respectively. However, such estimation seems to be unrealistic and illogic with respect
to the real facts and the actual conditions.

Richardson, E.V. and Clyma, W. in (1979) revealed that the release of sediment – free water from "HAD" has
lowered the river bed and the change in flow regime has increased bank erosion. These effects were anticipated
during the design of the dam, but calculations indicated that the existing barrages would cause backwater
upstream and the flat slope of the Nile River (0.4 ft per mile) [equivalent to 7.6 cm / km] would not be of
immediate concern and could be dealt with in time. Moreover, the study also demonstrated that the
measurements made since 1964 confirmed that the expected degradation would not be excessive because in
large rivers such as the River Nile, it is difficult to conclude a certain assessment for bed erosion. These
because from the hydrographic survey, one can find for example erosion in one five kilometer reach and
deposition in the following five kilometer reach and so forth. For this reason, the study concluded that the drop
in water level can be an indicator of degradation which consequently would be the result of bed erosion, bank
erosion and change in channel roughness.

Moreover, from the rating curves of the gauging stations which are located downstream of "OAD", the drop in
water levels during the period from 1964 to 1978 for 100 million m 3/day flow discharge was determined by
Gasser et al (1978) as listed in Table (2).

Table 2: Estimated Drop in Water Surface Levels

No. Site Expected drop
(m) (ft)
1 ُEl-Gaafra 0.40 1.3
2 D.S. of Esna barrages 0.81 2.6
3 D.S. of Naga-Hammady barrages 0.62 2.0
4 D.S. of Assuit barrages 0.35 1.1

The study revealed that most of the determined drop in water surface elevation occurred during the construction
of "HAD" when sediment was trapped upstream the coffer dam and the non-regulated high sediment-free flow
passed on towards the downstream. Additional study was presented by Ismail, H.M. (1990) who stated that as
the average annual suspended sediment was reduced from 1600 ppm before "HAD" construction to 50 ppm, and
the change occurred in the flow regime, river bed was eroded. Different national and international experts
expected lowering of the river bed and water surface level downstream the existing barrages from 3 to 20 m.
Measurements at fixed cross sections were periodically taken along the Nile to monitor the change in water
surface and bed levels. Observations indicated that the total drop in water surface level ranges between 0.5 and
1.0 m which is due to the flat slope and self armored river bed.

More efforts to evaluate the expected degradation downstream the main hydraulic structures along the Nile
River after the "HAD" construction were carried out by El-Moattassem, M.M. (1998 and 2001). The studies
revealed that some of 95% of total annual sediment load is deposited in the upstream regions of lake Nasser
upstream the "HAD", while only 5% of sediment reaches Aswan. The study also indicated that about 60% of
the deduced drop in water surface levels downstream the main barrages have occurred due to the large volumes
of nearly clear water that were discharged during dam construction. The actual drop in water surface levels until
year 1997 at five locations along the river from Aswan to Cairo was worked out from the gauging discharge
relations as listed in Table (3).

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table 3: Estimated Drop in Water Surface Levels Due to Degradation

No. Site Distance D/S Discharge (million m3/day)
of "OAD" 80 100 150 200
(km) Drop in water surface level (m)
1 ُEl-Gaafra 34 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4
2 Esna Barrages 167 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.3
3 Naga-Hammady Brgs. 360 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.6
4 Assuit Barrages 540 0.8 0.7 0.6

The study observed that erosion downstream the barrages were noticed in the wider shallow sections to fill the
narrow deeper ones. For example, erosion of the bed was observed in the first 7 km reach downstream of Esna
barrages with 0.60 m average height and 790 m bed width during the period from 1963 to 1977 while the water
surface slope was decreased from 7.0 cm /km to 4.0 cm /km. The following 3 km in the downstream direction,
sedimentation was noticed in narrower cross sections with 0.25 m average height and 500 m bed width and the
water surface slope was decreased from 5.1 cm /km to 4.6 cm /km. Moreover, Wail, A.F. (2010) revealed in his
Ph.D. study that the daily water surface level corresponding to flow discharge of 233 million m3/day at km 93.5
downstream of "OAD" in years 2004 and 2005 is 0.97 m higher than that before “HAD” construction in years
1963 and 1964. This result contradicts the previously conducted and published studies which indicated general
degradation along the four river reaches downstream of "OAD" as a direct impact of "HAD" construction.

The most recent and relevant study was carried out by Ahmed, et al (2014) which focused on the first Nile River
reach from downstream of "OAD" till upstream of the new Esna barrages. The deduced water surface levels for
various periods and locations along the reach - at passing 200 million m3 / day – revealed that El-Gaafra and
Kom - Ombo gauge stations were the only subjected sites to degradation since "HAD" construction. This
degradation turned over and recovered to sedimentation at years 2002 and 1991 for El-Gaafra and Kom – Ombo
respectively and reached to a maximum sedimentation of 0.011 and 0.315 m at El- Gaafra and Kom – Ombo in
year 2010. On the other hand, the downstream part of the first river reach has not been subjected to any
degradation since "HAD" construction until the year 2010. The monitored sedimentation (deposition) within
such reach in year 2010 reached a maximum value of 0.760, 0.989 and 1.405 m at Selwa – Bahary, El –
Ramady, and Edfu gauge stations respectively with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction.
Moreover, water surface slope at passing 200 millions m3 /day was reduced from 5.84 cm/km in year 1962 to
4.05 cm/km in year 2000. The achieved results led to conclude that the first Nile River reach is being subjected
to sedimentation and not degradation after "HAD" construction.

Therefore, so far, numerous hydraulics and morphological studies to classify the side effects of "HAD"
constructions were carried out. Most of those studies indicated general degradation along the four river reaches
downstream of "OAD" as a direct impact of "HAD" construction (El-Ansary, 1976). This because most of the
provided studies were limited to the emerged local conditions downstream the main hydraulic structures after
"HAD" construction rather than analysis of real data that covers adequate time and along reach (i.e. as function
of distance). Consequently, no comprehensive study for any materialized degradation or sedimentation
developments in time and locations along the River Nile since "HAD" construction has been attempted. The
only detailed study was carried out by Ahmed et al (2014) which focused on the first Nile River reach. For this
reason, the current study would employ the daily recorded observations for water surface levels and the
corresponding flow discharges along the second reach to produce the stage discharge rating curves leading to
work out the resulted variations in bed and water surface levels along the study reach since "HAD" construction
up to the year 2010.

2. METHODOLOGY

As the main objective of the current investigation is to illustrate the development of Nile River water surface
levels as an indicator for bed degradation or sedimentation since "HAD" construction until now, the daily
records of flow discharges and the corresponding water surface levels would be utilized. The study would be
limited to the second river reach which extends from downstream of the new Esna barrages at km 167.830
downstream of "OAD" until upstream of the new Naga - Hammady barrages at km 362.820 downstream of
"OAD". Variations of daily flow discharges and the corresponding water surface levels along a steady flow
condition part of the second river reach would be examined from the year 1962 before "HAD" construction up
to the year 2010. On the other hand, as such hydrological information is of a stochastic nature, long time-series

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data records of at least one year would be demonstrated (Jansen et al, 1979). For this reason, the analyzed flow
discharges and the corresponding water surface levels records would cover two successive years each ten years
within the study period of almost 50 years. The available hydrologic data would be used to establish stage-
discharge relationships (rating curves) which would be utilized to determine the corresponding water surface
levels at an adopted flow discharge.

With this in mind, the estimated drop in water surface level can be utilized as an indicator of degradation which
consequently could be the result of one or more reasons such as bed erosion, massive bank failure and
decreasing in cross section width or change in channel roughness. While the increase in water surface level can
be utilized as an indicator of sedimentation which consequently could be the result of one or more reasons such
as general sedimentation, possible external source of sediment supply by wind and/or flash flood flows, bank
erosion or change in channel roughness. This consequently means that any achieved variations in water surface
levels could be more often than general sedimentation or degradation.

3. COLLECTED DATA

The present study would be focused on the second reach which extends for 194.990 km between the new Esna
barrages at km 167.830 and the new Naga - Hammady barrages at km 362.820 downstream of "OAD". Daily
records of flow discharges downstream the new Esna barrages and the corresponding water surface levels at 6
installed gauging stations from year 1962 to year 2010 were utilized as listed in Table (4).

Table 4: Available Data for the Hydrological Study

Daily Isna Daily Water Surface Levels (m) at Gauging Stations
No. Year Discharge El- Luxor Shanhoria Sheikhiya Qena Deshna
(mm3/day) Mataana Km Km Km Km Km
Km 223.800 245.000 264.900 286.750 316.600
174.700
1 1962       X
2 1963       
3 1979   X    
4 1980   X    
5 1989       
6 1990       X
7 1999  X     X
8 2000  X     X
9 2009  X     X
10 2010  X     X

Where: X Unavailable Data

 Available Data

The sites of these gauging stations are indicated in Figure (2). Selection of the used gauge stations was carried
out in such a way as not being influenced by the generated flow turbulence downstream of the new Esna
barrages and the formed backwater curve "BWC" upstream the new Naga-Hammady barrages. The used gauge
stations cover 141.900 km which is equivalent to 72.8% of the total length of the second river reach with
maximum and minimum spacing of 49.100 and 19.900 km respectively. To produce the water surface profile
along the study reach, the corresponding hydrological data at the case of minimum and maximum flow
discharges downstream the new Esna barrages were utilized as listed in Table (5). The 1-D numerical model
SOBEK - Sloff, C.J. et al (2004) - was then applied to perform the water surface profile corresponding to the
two provided flow conditions as shown in Fig.(2).

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table 5: Actual Data to Perform Water Surface Profile

Flow condition Date Flow discharge (mm3/day) Water surface level (m)
DS of N. DS of N. DS of US of N.
Esna Hammady Hammady Esna Brg. Hammady
Brg. canals Brg. Brg.
Min. discharge 13/1/2014 62.919 18.919 44.000 (71.08) (65.90)
Max. 28/5/2014 226.804 19.304 207.500 )74.75) )65.30)
discharge[

Figure 2: Location of Gauge Stations along the Study Reach

Figure (2) revealed that the backwater curve "BWC" extends for about 52 km upstream the new Naga -
Hammady barrages at passing the minimum flow discharge downstream the new Esna barrages. This means
that Deshna gauge station which is situated at km 316.600 would be located within the backwater curve during
passing low flow discharges.

The collected data for the daily flow discharges downstream of the new Esna barrages and the corresponding
water surface levels at the 6 gauge stations covered about 50 years in steps started before "HAD" construction in
year 1962 to about 40 years after "HAD" construction in year 2010. On the other hand, it can be seen from
Table (4) that some data were not available such as the last four years for El-Mataana gauge station, two years
for Luxor gauge station and six years for Deshna gauge station. Additionally, some of the attainable records for
the daily flow discharges and water surface levels were uncompleted for different causes. For this reason, the
actual recorded data for each study year and gauge station were documented as listed in Table (6). This
comprised that the total unavailable daily flow discharge and water surface level records reached 33 and 5458
daily data records respectively which is equivalent to 0.90% and 24.9% of the required daily records
respectively. For this reason, the total number and percentage of unavailable daily data records for the flow
discharges and water surface levels were analyzed with respect to each of the site and year as illustrated in Table
(6). This exposed that the maximum unavailable daily data records reached 2344 days at Deshna gauge station
which equivalent to 42.69% of the unavailable records and 9.2% of the total needed data for conducting the
current research.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table 6: The Unavailable Daily Data for the Hydrological Study

Unavailable daily flow discharge and water surface level records (days) at Total Percent
No. Year Daily flow Mataana Luxor Shanhoria Sheikhiya Qena Deshna
discharge Km Km Km Km Km Km
(mm3/day) 174.700 223.800 245.000 264.900 286.750 316.600 (days) (%)
1 1962 - - - 79 81 - 365 525 9.56%
2 1963 - - - 74 57 - - 131 2.38%
3 1979 - - 365 - - - - 365 6.62%
4 1980 - - 366 - - - - 366 6.62%
5 1989 - - - - 23 - 153 176 3.22%
6 1990 2 - - - 23 - 365 390 7.09%
7 1999 - 365 - - - - 365 730 13.33%

8 2000 - 366 - - - - 366 732 13.34%

9 2009 31 365 - 62 62 62 365 947 17.24%

10 2010 - 365 123 123 123 30 365 1129 20.60%

Total (days) 33 1461 854 338 369 92 2344 5491

Percent (%) 0.61% 26.63% 15.55% 6.15% 6.70% 1.67% 42.69% 100.0% 100.0%

4. HYDROLOGICAL STUDY

The hydrological study was carried out to determine the corresponding water surface level at passing flow
discharge of 200 millions m3/day at each of the used gauge station sites during various selected years. The
adopted flow discharge was arbitrary chosen to suit the condition through the second Nile River reach before
and after "HAD" construction. Stage-discharge rating curves which perform the relationships between the daily
recorded flow discharges downstream the new Esna barrages and the corresponding water surface levels at each
gauge station were deduced. In doing so, a lag time between the released flow discharges downstream of new
Esna barrages to reach the 3rd and 4th gauge stations at El-Shanhoria (km 345.000) and El-Sheikheya (km
294.900) respectively was considered one day time; and the lag time to reach the 5 th and 6th gauge stations at
Qena (km 286.750) and Deshna (km 316.600) respectively was considered two days. While no lag time was
applied for the released flow discharges to reach the 1st and 2nd gauge stations at El-Mataana (km 174.700) and
Luxor (km 223.800) respectively. The attained results for some selected gauge stations and years are shown in
Figures (from 3 to 8). Regression analysis to determine the best fitting mathematical expression for the attained
scatter data – which is known as the least square line or curve - was worked out for all adopted sites and years as
listed in Table (7). This because applying such regression minimizes the squared residuals and consequently
deviation of the determined mathematical expression from the real measure.

Figure 3: Rating Curve at El-Mataana (1963) Figure 4: Rating Curve at Luxor (1990)

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Figure 5: Rating Curve at Shanhoria (1980) Figure 6: Rating Curve at El - Sheikhiya (2000)

Figure (7): Rating Curve at Qena (2010) Figure (8): Rating Curve at Deshna (1980)

Table 7: Produced Stage Discharge Relationships Numbers

Derived rating curve equations at gauging stations :
Years El-Mataana Luxor Shanhoria Sheikhiya Qena Deshna
Km 174.700 Km 223.800 Km 245.000 Km 264.900 Km 286.750 Km 316.600
1962 Eq. No. (1) Eq. No. (11) Eq. No. (21) Eq. No. (31) Eq. No. (41) -
1963 Eq. No. (2) Eq. No. (12) Eq. No. (22) Eq. No. (32) Eq. No. (42) Eq. No. (52)
1979 Eq. No. (3) - Eq. No. (23) Eq. No. (33) Eq. No. (43) Eq. No. (53)
1980 Eq. No. (4) - Eq. No. (24) Eq. No. (34) Eq. No. (44) Eq. No. (54)
1989 Eq. No. (5) Eq. No. (15) Eq. No. (25) Eq. No. (35) Eq. No. (45) Eq. No. (55)
1990 Eq. No. (6) Eq. No. (16) Eq. No. (26) Eq. No. (36) Eq. No. (46) -
1999 - Eq. No. (17) Eq. No. (27) Eq. No. (37) Eq. No. (47) -
2000 - Eq. No. (18) Eq. No. (28) Eq. No. (38) Eq. No. (48) -
2009 - Eq. No. (19) Eq. No. (29) Eq. No. (39) Eq. No. (49) -
2010 - Eq. No. (20) Eq. No. (30) Eq. No. (40) Eq. No. (50) -

To guarantee the validity of the generated equations, the coefficient of determination (R 2) - which represents the
percent of the data that closest to the line of best fit – were determined. The best mathematical relationship form
was determined through fitting regression analysis for all sites and years as listed in Tables (8 and 9). This
revealed that the produced regression equations to determine the corresponding water surface levels are mainly
of second degree with a maximum and minimum coefficient of determination (R 2) equale to 0.999 and 0.890
respectively.

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Table 8: Regression Results for the Four Upstream Gauge Stations

Station and Eq. W.S.L.
No. Rating curve equations R2
year No. (m)**
1 1962
El-Mataana 1 WSL= -6.5403 E-6 Q2 + 0.01729Q + 71.1389 0.981 (74.34)
2 1963 2 WSL= -9.7766 E-6 Q2 + 0.02006Q + 70.5704 0.993 (74.19)
3 1979 3 WSL= -1.9464 E-5 Q2 + 0.02461Q + 69.9194 0.997 (74.06)
4 1980 4 WSL= 4.5473 E-6 Q2 + 0.01709Q + 70.4206 0.999 (74.02)
5 1989 5 WSL= 0.9548 E-6 Q2 + 0.01972Q + 70.2735 0.999 (74.26)
6 1990 6 WSL= -8.4180 E-6 Q2 + 0.02194Q + 70.1307 0.995 (74.18)
7 1962 11 WSL= -1.2274 E-5 Q2 + 0.02108Q + 67.8228 0.981 (71.55)
8 1963 12 WSL= -8.5615 E-6 Q2 + 0.01816Q + 68.0602 0.996 (71.35)
9 1989 15 WSL= 6.5563 E-6 Q2 + 0.01787Q + 67.9041 0.998 (71.74)
Luxor

10 1990 16 WSL= -7.6560 E-6 Q2 + 0.02095Q + 67.7294 0.995 (71.61)

11 1999 17 WSL= 5.0072 E-6 Q2 + 0.01846Q + 67.7591 0.996 (71.65)
12 2000 18 WSL= -1.3623 E-6 Q2 + 0.02059Q + 67.5936 0.998 (71.66)
13 2009 19 WSL= 7.1804 E-6 Q2 + 0.02028Q + 67.6783 0.982 (72.02)
14 2010 20 WSL= -2.7960 E-5 Q2 + 0.03115Q + 67.1164 0.975 (72.23)
15 1962 21 WSL= 5.5919 E-5 Q2+ 0.0014 Q + 67.8999 0.932 (70.41)
16 1963 22 WSL= -6.6226 E-6 Q2 + 0.01931Q + 66.7443 0.988 (70.34)
17 1979 23 WSL= -3.9203 E-5 Q2+ 0.02988Q + 65.8830 0.984 (70.29)
El--Shanhoria

18 1980 24 WSL= -1.2298 E-5 Q2 + 0.02108Q + 66.5062 0.991 (70.23)

19 1989 25 WSL= 5.3911 E-6 Q2 + 0.01672Q + 66.8134 0.987 (70.37)
20 1990 26 WSL= 3.0210 E-5 Q2 + 0.00855Q + 67.3886 0.990 (70.31)
21 1999 27 WSL= 1.4193 E-5 Q2 + 0.01433Q + 67.1163 0.978 (70.55)
22 2000 28 WSL= 1.4700 E-5 Q2 + 0.01435Q + 67.0973 0.987 (70.56)
23 2009 29 WSL= 1.3482 E-5 Q2 + 0.01586Q + 67.0424 0.978 (70.75)
24 2010 30 WSL= -1.1797 E-6 Q2 + 0.02005Q + 66.7471 0.978 (70.71)
25 1962 31 WSL = -1.3021 E-6 Q2 + 0.0165 Q+ 66.2239 0.934 (69.47)
26 1963 32 WSL= -1.1510 E-5 Q2 + 0.01998Q + 66.1022 0.981 (69.64)
27 1979 33 WSL= -2.5112 E-5 Q2 + 0.02523Q + 65.5512 0.982 (69.59)
El-Sheikhiya

28 1980 34 WSL= -5.8651 E-6 Q2 + 0.01914Q + 66.0227 0.990 (69.62)

29 1989 35 WSL= 1.1310 E-5 Q2 + 0.01413Q + 66.3676 0.990 (69.65)
30 1990 36 WSL= 8.2373 E-6 Q2 + 0.01450Q + 66.4658 0.972 (69.70)
31 1999 37 WSL= -0.2199 E-6 Q2 + 0.01936Q + 66.0687 0.980 (69.93)
32 2000 38 WSL= 0.8271 E-6 Q2+ 0.019076Q + 66.0869 0.992 (69.94)
33 2009 39 WSL= 9.450 E-6 Q2 + 0.01711Q + 66.3448 0.970 (70.14)
34 2010 40 WSL= -5.167 E-6 Q2+ 0.02119Q + 66.0869 0.975 (70.12)

Where:
WSL (W.S.L.) is the water surface level (m)
Q is the passing flow discharge (million m3/day)
R2 is the coefficient of determination
(m)** is the water surface levels coresponding to the "HAD" release of 200 million m3/day

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table (9): Regression Results for the Two Downstream Gauge Stations
Station Eq. W.S.L.
No. Rating curve equations R2
and year No. (m)**
35 1962 41 WSL= -1.250 E-5 Q2 + 0.02014Q + 64.6986 0.975 (68.23)
36 1963 42 WSL= -1.306 E-5 Q2 + 0.02008Q + 64.6704 0.988 (68.16)
37 1979 43 WSL= -1.419 E-5 Q2 + 0.01968Q + 64.8324 0.972 (68.20)
38 1980 44 WSL= 5.497 E-6 Q2 + 0.01326Q + 65.3655 0.980 (68.24)
WSL= 1.111 E-6 Q2 + 0.01538Q + 65.1864
Qena

39 1989 45 0.986 (68.31)

40 1990 46 WSL=1.536 E-5 Q2 + 0.01085Q + 65.5182 0.991 (68.30)
41 1999 47 WSL= 1.397 E-5 Q2 + 0.01255Q + 65.4228 0.989 (68.49)
42 2000 48 WSL= 1.545 E-5 Q2 + 0.01220Q + 65.4935 0.995 (68.55)
43 2009 49 WSL= 1.248 E-5 Q2 + 0.01223Q + 65.7197 0.974 (68.66)
44 2010 50 WSL= 5.374 E-6 Q2+ 0.01408Q + 65.6226 0.956 (68.65)
45 1963 52 WSL = -2.7652 E-6 Q2 + 0.0109Q + 64.6101 0.992 (66.68)
Deshna

46 1979 53 WSL=0.326 E-6 Q2 + 0.0112Q + 64.5916 0.940 (66.85)

47 1980 54 WSL= -8.9884 E-6 Q2 + 0.0138Q + 64.4956 0.931 (66.89)
48 1989 55 WSL = -4.2878 E-6 Q2 + 0.0097 Q + 64.8069 0.890 (66.58)

Using each of the deduced regression equations, the dependent variable of the water surface level at passing 200
millions m3/day flow discharge was predicted at each gauge station and adopted year as listed in Tables (8 and
9). Table (7) did not contain the four equations numbers (from 7 to 10) for El-Mataana gauge station, the two
equations numbers (13 and 14) for Luxor gauge station and six equations numbers (51, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60)
for Deshna gauge station which is due to the unavailability of daily water surface levels data at these locations.

5. ANALYSIS OF THE ACHIEVED RESULTS

The average water surface level at passing 200 millions m3/day flow discharge in Tables (8 and 9) were utilized
to work out the average corresponding values for every two successive years at the 6 gauge stations as listed in
Table (10). In this Table the mean value of water surface level during the successive years 1962 and 1963 at
each gauge station was assigned as the condition before "HAD" construction. While the mean values for each
two other successive years at each of the used gauge stations were worked out to demonstrate the water surface
level after "HAD" construction up to year 2010. Therefore, considering that the mean values of water surface
level at each gauge station before "HAD" construction as the reference line for the expected variations after
"HAD" construction, the difference in the calculated average water surface level with respect to the reference
level at each gauge site was determined as listed in Table (10). In this Table, the negative and positive signs
signify lower and higher water surface levels with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction. This
means that the increase in water surface level can be interpreted as an indicator of sedimentation and could be
the result of one or more reasons such as general sedimentation, possible external source of sediment supply by
wind and/or flash flood flows, bank erosion or change in channel roughness. While the decrease in water
surface level can be utilized as an indicator of degradation and could be the result of one or more reasons such
as general degradation, massive bank failure and increase in river width or change in channel roughness.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Table 10: Variation in Water Surface Level Calculations

No. Gauge station and year Average W.S.L. of each Difference
two successive years in W.S.L.
(m) (m)
1 El-Mataana (1962 & 1963) (74.265) 0.00
2 El-Mataana (1979 & 1980) (74.040) - 0.225
3 El-Mataana (1989 & 1990) (74.220) - 0.045
4 El-Mataana (1999 & 2000) No DATA No DATA
5 El-Mataana (2009 & 2010) No DATA No DATA
6 Luxor (1962 & 1963) (71.450) 0.00
7 Luxor (1979 & 1980) No DATA No DATA
8 Luxor (1989 & 1990) (71.675) + 0.225
9 Luxor (1999 & 2000) (71.655) + 0.205
10 Luxor (2009 & 2010) (72.125) + 0.675
11 El-Shanhoria (1962 & 1963) (70.375) 0.00
12 El-Shanhoria (1979 & 1980) (70.260) - 0.115
13 El-Shanhoria (1989 & 1990) (70.340) - 0.035
14 El-Shanhoria (1999 & 2000) (70.555) + 0.180
15 El-Shanhoria (2009 & 2010) (70.730) + 0.355
16 El-Sheikhiya (1962 & 1963) (69.555) 0.00
17 El-Sheikhiya (1979 & 1980) (69.605) + 0.050
18 El-Sheikhiya (1989 & 1990) (69.675) + 0.120
19 El-Sheikhiya (1999 & 2000) (69.935) + 0.380
20 El-Sheikhiya (2009 & 2010) (70.130) + 0.575
21 Qena (1962 & 1963) (68.195) 0.00
22 Qena (1979 & 1980) (68.220) + 0.025
23 Qena (1989 & 1990) (68.305) + 0.110
24 Qena (1999 & 2000) (68.520) + 0.325
25 Qena (2009 & 2010) (68.655) + 0.460
26 Deshna (1962 & 1963) (66.680) 0.00
27 Deshna (1979 & 1980) (66.870) + 0.190
28 Deshna (1989 & 1990) (66.580) - 0.100
29 Deshna (1999 & 2000) No DATA No DATA
30 Deshna (2009 & 2010) No DATA No DATA

The attained results in Table (10) were utilized to demonstrate the occurred variations in bed and water surface
levels along the studied reach through investigated time between years 1962 and 2010. This was carried out
with respect to the location along the river reach and since "HAD" construction till now according to the
following two aspects:

1. The mean value of water surface level - at passing 200 millions m3/day at each of the studied gauge
stations before "HAD" construction – was considered as the reference line. Then the determined mean
values for each two other successive years at each of the used gauge stations would be plotted as
function of time to demonstrate the variation in river bed and water surface level at those years after
"HAD" construction till year 2010. This – in other words – can demonstrate the developed variation in
water surface levels as indicators of degradation or sedimentation along the second river reach after
"HAD" construction till year 2010.
2. Considering mean values of bed and water surface levels before "HAD" construction - at each installed
gauge station – as reference level point, variation of degradation or sedimentation along the reach (i.e.
as function of distance) after "HAD" construction can be independently worked out at each gauge
station location with respect to the applied years up to 2010.

The listed results in Table (10) were utilized to demonstrate various variations in bed and water surface levels
with respect to each gauge site and its location which can be demonstrated as follows:

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

5.1. Water Surface Level Variations

The reached calculations in Table (10) were utilized to demonstrate the average water surface level variations as
function of time at each gauge stations as shown in Figure (9) and listed in Table (11).

Figure 9: Water Surface Level Variations at Different Gauge Stations

Table 11: Average Water Surface Level Variations along the Reach
Years Average water surface level variation (cm) at gauging stations : ُ
El-Mataana Luxor Shanhoria Sheikhiya Qena Deshna
Km Km Km Km Km Km
174.700 223.800 245.000 264.900 286.750 316.600
(1962 & 1963) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
(1979 & 1980) - 22.5 NA - 11.5 + 5.0 + 2.5 +19.0
)1989 & 1990) - 4.5 + 22.5 - 3.50 + 12.0 + 11.0 - 10.0
(1999 & 2000) NA + 20.5 + 18.0 + 38.0 + 32.5 NA
(2009 & 2010) NA + 67.5 + 35.5 + 57.5 + 46.0 NA

[NA] in the above Table is related to unavailable water surface level data at El-Mataana, Luxor and Deshna
gauge stations.

Figure (9) and Table (11) signify that only the upstream parts of the study reach at El-Mataana and El –
Shanhoria gauge stations were subjected to water surface level decline and possible degradation which took
place since "HAD" construction till year 1990. Bearing in mind the unavailable recorded data for Luxor station
in years 1979 and 1980, one could expect that Luxor site could be also subjected to water surface level decrease
and possible degradation due to its location at 49.100 km distance downstream of El-Mataana station and 21.200
km distance upstream of El – Shanhoria gauge station. The average decrease in water surface level reached its
maximum value of 0.225 m and 0.115 m at El-Mataana and El-Shanhoria gauge stations respectively at years
1979 and 1980 as listed in Table (11) and shown in Figure (9). The recorded decreases were significantly
reduced to 0.045 and 0.035 m at El-Mataana and El-Shanhoria gauge stations respectively at years 1989 and
1990. On the other hand, the performance at Luxor gauge station showed increase in water surface level and
possible deposition of 0.225 m at years 1989 and 1990 with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Also Figure (9) indicates that the recorded water surface level declines through the upstream gauge stations then
turned over and progressively recovered to increase in water surface levels and possible sedimentation which
reached to a maximum value of 0.675 m and 0.355 m at Luxor and El–Shanhoria stations respectively in years
2009 - 2010. This in other words means that the water surface level at the upstream parts have been subjected to
a limited decrease then increase and possible sedimentation starting from years 1989 – 1990 till years 2009 -
2010. On the other hand, Figure (9) and Table (11) show that the rest of the studied river reach from El-
Shiekheya to Qena gauge stations were not subject to any decrease in water surface levels and possible
degradation since "HAD" construction till year 2010. Moreover, the monitored increase in water surface levels
and possible sedimentation within such reach in year 2010 - as listed in Table (11) and shown in Figure (9) -
reached a maximum value of 0.675, 0.355, 0.575 and 0.460 m at Luxor, El-Shanhoria, El-Sheikheya and Qena
gauge stations respectively with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction. While the condition at
each of El-Mataana and Deshna gauge stations could not be definitely defined due to unavailable recorded data
at the two sites.

Also Table (11) and Figure (9) illustrate some unexpected variations in the attained results at Luxor and Deshna
gauge stations. The reached variations at Deshna gauge station – in spite of the unavailable daily records of
water surface level from year 1990 to year 2010 – revealed 0.19 m increase in water surface level in years 1979
and 1980 which was followed by 0.10 m decrease in years 1989 and 1990. Such trend disagrees with the
achieved results at the other sites and could be due to the gauge station location which is situated within the
backwater curve upstream the new Naga-Hammady barrages during passing low flow discharges as indicated in
Figure (2). Also the unavailable water surface level data at Luxor gauge station from year 1989 till year 2010
led to indecisive conclusions. This because the calculated average water surface levels at this site - as listed in
Table (11) and shown in Figure (9) – declined from 0.225 m in year 1989 and 1990 to 0.205 m in years 1999
and 2000 then sharply increased to 0.675 m in years 2009 and 2010. Examining such decrease in water surface
levels during years 1999 and 2000 proved that the dredging activities for navigation are not the cause.

Therefore, to justify the reached results at Luxor gauge station, an endorsement study was carried out. The daily
records for the passing discharges and the corresponding water surface levels during the five years 1994, 1998,
2001, 2003 and 2006 were embloyed as endorsement information. Stage discharge rating curves at Luxor gauge
station for the added five years were then deduced as listed in Table (12). Those data were then merged with the
previously worked out calculations in Table (10) to produce the average corresponding water surface level at
Luxor gauge station for various years as listed in Table (13).

Table 12: Regression Results for the Endorsement Study

Eq. W.S.L.
year Rating Curve Equations R2
No. (m)**
1994 16.1 WSL= 1.3071 E-5 Q2 + 0.01451 Q + 68.0795 0.977 (71.50)
1998 16.2 WSL= -2.0012 E-5 Q2 + 0.02671 Q + 67.0571 0.995 (71.60)
2001 18.1 WSL= -0.9201E-5 Q2 + 0.02453 Q + 67.2279 0.998 (71.77)
2003 18.2 WSL= -1.1941E-5 Q2 + 0.02460 Q + 67.2658 0.948 (71.71)
2006 18.3 WSL= -1.4291E-5 Q2 + 0.02536 Q + 67.3831 0.974 (71.88)

Table 13: Regression Results for Luxor Gauge Station

No. Equation No. Year W.S.L. Variation (cm)

1 Eqs. No. (11& 12) (1962 & 1963) 0.00

2 Eqs. No. (13& 14) (1979 & 1980) NA
3 Eqs. No. (15& 16) (1989 & 1990) + 22.5
4 Eq. No. (16.1) 1994 + 5.0
5 Eq. No. (16.2) 1998 + 15.0
6 Eqs. No. (17& 18) (1999 & 2000) + 20.5
7 Eq. No. (18.1) 2001 + 32.0
8 Eq. No. (18.2) 2003 + 26.0
9 Eq. No. (18.3) 2006 + 33.0
10 Eqs. No. (19& 20) (2009 & 2010) + 67.5

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

The reached calculations in Table (10) were merged with the endorsement study for the variation in water
surface levels at Luxor gauge station that listed in Table (12) and Figure (9) to produce the total variations at
Luxor gauge station as listed in Table (13) and shown in Figure (10).

The attained results at Luxor gauge station – as shown in Figure (10) – showed nearly similar trend to the
concluded water surface level condition at El – Mataana and El - Shanhuria gauge stations which are situated
upstream and downstream of Luxor site respectively. Such clear tendency at Luxor gauge station could not be
precisely demonstrated due to unavailable and limited daily recorded data at the site before year 1989. This led
to expect that Luxor gauge station could be also subjected to water surface level decrease and possible
degradation due to its location at 49.100 km distance downstream of El-Mataana station and 21.200 km distance
upstream of El – Shanhoria gauge station.

Figure 10: Combined Results after the Endorsement Study at Luxor Gauge Station

5.2. Longitudinal Surface Profiles

The reached calculations in Table (10) were also utilized to demonstrate the variations in water surface levels at
each gauge stations for all years as listed in Table (14) and shown in Figure (11). While Figure (12)
demonstrates the variation in water surface levels as an indicator for sedimentation and degradation
developments with respect to time and space as a vertical coordinate along the studied reach.

Table 14: Longitudinal Water Surface Profile Developments

Years Variation in W.S.L. at different gauges (m)
El- Luxor Shanhoria Sheikhiya Qena Deshna
Mataana Km Km 245.000 Km Km Km
Km 223.800 264.900 286.750 316.600
174.700
)1962 & 1963) (74.265) (71.450) (70.375) (69.555) (68.195) (66.680)
(1979 & 1980) (74.040) NA (70.260) (69.605) (68.220) (66.870)
)1989 & 1990) (74.220) (71.675) (70.340) (69.675) (68.305) (66.580)
(1999 &2000) NA (71.655) (70.555) (69.935) (68.520) NA
(2009 & 2010) NA (72.125) (70.730) (70.130) (68.655) NA
[NA] in the above Table (14) is related to unavailable water surface data records at El-Mataana, Luxor, and
Deshna gauge stations.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

Figure 11: Water Surface Profiles Development along the Study Reach

Figure 12: Variation of Water Surface Levels along the Study Reach

The achieved results in Figure (11) for water surface profiles development along the study reach illustrate some
increase and possible sedimentation after "HAD" construction till year 2010. This is very clear especially
through about 62.950 km of the second river reach between Luxor and Qena gauge stations. This revealed an
increase in water surface level which reached a maximum value of 0.675, 0.355, 0.575 and 0.460 m at Luxor,
El-Shanhoria, El-Sheikheya and Qena gauge stations respectively in year 2010 with respect to the condition
before "HAD" construction. While the condition at each of El-Mataana and Deshna gauge stations could not be
defined due to unavailable recorded data at the two sites. This increase in water surface level can be utilized as
an indicator for sedimentation and could be the result of one or more reasons such as general sedimentation,
possible external source of sediment supply by wind and/or flash flood flows, bank erosion or change in channel
roughness. Therefore, considering that the increase in water surface level is possibly due to general
sedimentation which results in an average value of 0.516 m along a 141.900 km reach length between El-
Mataana and Deshna gauge stations, and with an average width for the second river reach of 671.43 m (Wail,
A.F. 2012), the total deposited materials on the bed along the represented river reach would be worked out as
49.16 million m3. This led to conclude that the second River Nile reach is being subjected after "HAD"
construction to sedimentation and not degradation as expected from several earlier studies.

The above results in Figures (11 and 12) also emphasize the anticipated variations in water surface slopes along
the monitored gauge stations sites. Considering the condition before "HAD" construction which is represented
by years 1962 and 1963, the average water surface level at El-Mataana and Deshna were (74.265) m and

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

(68.195) m respectively. As the distance between the two mentioned sites is 141.900 km, the corresponding
longitudinal water surface slope would be 5.35 cm/km. Subsequently, considering the condition after "HAD"
construction in years 1980 then 1990, the water surface levels at El-Mataana and Deshna were (74.040) m and
(66.870) m in year 1980 then (74.220) m and (66.580) m in year 1990 respectively. The corresponding
longitudinal water surface slope can be then worked out as 5.05 cm/km then 5.38 cm/km for the same distance
during years 1980 and 1990 respectively. Moreover, to avoid any possible effect due to the location of Deshna
gauge station with respect to the backwater curve upstream the new Naga - Hammady barrages, the longitudinal
water surface slope between El – Mataana and Qena of 112.050 km distance was worked out for various years.
The results for the condition before and after "HAD" construction till year 2010 revealed such narrow
differences with ranges between maximum and minimum values of 5.51 cm/km and 4.98 cm/km respectively.

Therefore, as the similar study for the first river reach revealed an apparent reduction in longitudinal water
surface slope from 5.84 cm/km in year 1962 to 4.05 cm/km in year 2000, this led to conclude that unlike the
concluded results for the first reach, the second one was not subjected to significant or considerable variations in
the longitudinal water surface slope after "HAD" construction. This seems to be due to the location of the first
reach with respect to "OAD" which led to the establishment of the long term morphology changes – due to
"HAD" construction – along the first river reach before the second one. This led to the expectation that the long
term morphological variation along the second Nile River reach is still under progressing and not totally
established its final condition due to "HAD" construction.

6. CONCLUSIONS

I. Numerous hydraulics and morphological studies to justify and quantify the side effects of "HAD"
constructions - concerning river bed degradation and sedimentation – were reviewed and summarized
which anticipated general degradation downstream of the main barrages. However, so far no results
for specific time and locations have been materialized along the second Nile River reach.
II. To monitor such variations in water surface levels and consequently possible sedimentation or
degradation through the second Nile River reach after "HAD" construction, the daily recorded
observations for water surface levels and the corresponding flow discharges along the study reach
were employed to produce stage discharge rating curves as the best and accurate technique to fulfill
such purpose.
III. Some of the daily essential records for conducting the planed research were unavailable and difficult
to be attained especially those before year 1985. Moreover, some collected record sheets were
incomplete and lacked of entire months which reached 0.90% and 24.9% of the daily flow discharge
and water surface level respectively.
IV. El-Mataana and El – Shanhoria gauge stations were the only sites subjected to water surface level
decline and possible degradation after "HAD" construction which reached its maximum value of
0.225 m and 0.115 m at El-Mataana and El-Shanhoria gauge stations respectively at years 1979 and
1980. The decrease was turned over and recovered to increase in water surface level and possible
sedimentation at year 1992 for El-Shanhoria gauge station which reached 0.18 m and 0.355 m in years
2000 and 2010 respectively.
V. The unavailable recorded data for Luxor station in years 1979 and 1980 - which is located between El-
Mataana and El – Shanhoria gauge stations - led to expect that Luxor site could be also subjected to
water surface level decrease and possible degradation after "HAD" construction. Later, the results
showed an increase in water surface level and possible deposition of 0.225 m at years 1989 and 1990
with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction.
VI. The downstream part of the study reach from El-Sheikheya to Qena gauge stations was not subject to
any decrease in water surface levels since "HAD" construction till year 2010. The monitored increase
in water surface levels within such reach reached a maximum value of 0.575 m and 0.46 m at the two
sites respectively in year 2010 with respect to the condition before "HAD" construction.
VII. The monitored increase in water surface levels and possible sedimentation within the second reach in
year 2010 revealed a maximum value of 0.675, 0.355, 0.575 and 0.460 m at Luxor, El-Shanhoria, El-
Sheikheya and Qena gauge stations respectively with respect to the condition before "HAD"
construction. While the condition at each of El-Mataana and Deshna gauge stations could not be
defined due to unavailable recorded data at the two sites.
VIII. The conducted endorsement study at Luxor gauge station proved nearly similar trend to that
concluded at El – Mataana and El - Shanhuria gauge stations which are situated upstream and
downstream of Luxor site respectively. Such clear tendency at Luxor site could not precisely
demonstrated due to unavailable and limited daily recorded data before year 1989.

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Long-Term Morphological Changes along the 2nd Nile River Reach through Half Century after "HAD" Construction

IX. Considering that the increase in water surface level is due to general sedimentation of 0.516 m as
average value along a 141.900 km reach length between El-Mataana and Deshna gauge stations, and
an average width for the second river reach of 671.43 m, the total deposited materials on the bed along
the represented river reach would be 49.16 million m3. This led to conclude that the second River
Nile reach is being subjected after "HAD" construction to sedimentation and not degradation as
expected from several studies.
X. The attained results for the condition before and after "HAD" construction revealed narrow
differences for the variation in longitudinal water surface slope which ranges between maximum and
minimum values of 5.51 cm/km and 4.98 cm/km respectively. Therefore, unlike the concluded results
for the first reach, the second reach was not subject to significant or considerable variations in the
longitudinal water surface slope after "HAD" construction.
XI. This led to conclude that the second River Nile reach is being subjected after "HAD" construction to
increase in water surface level which can be utilized as an indicator of sedimentation and could be the
result of one or more reasons such as general sedimentation, possible external source of sediment
supply by wind and/or flash flood flows, bank erosion or change in channel roughness.
XII. Providing the historical hydrological information for water surface levels and passing discharges at
different gauge stations and hydraulics structures are very essential and fundamental to conduct such
research.

7. RECOMMENDATIONS

I. Digitalizing the historical records for daily flow discharges downstream "OAD" and other major
barrages as well as the corresponding water surface levels at different gauge stations is very essential.
Such effort is in progress but limited to some of the daily records that took place after year 1985.
However, extending digitizing efforts to year 1960 which is former to "HAD" construction would be
compulsory and essential.
II. Providing the necessary data for conducting Nile River hydraulics and morphological investigations
should be more straightforward and effortless especially for the research staff within and outside of
the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
III. The resulted increase in water surface level through the second river reach can be utilized as an
indicator of sedimentation which consequently could be the result of one or more reasons such as
general sedimentation, possible external source of sediment supply by wind and/or flash flood flows,
bank erosion or change in channel roughness. Therefore, such completing study would be carried out
to analyze the real cause for the changes in water surface level.
IV. Corresponding studies should be carried out to investigate the impact of "HAD" construction on the
third and fourth Nile River reaches which could be achieved similar to the applied technique in the
present study.
V. The recorded sedimentation downstream "OAD" after "HAD" construction – which is against all the
previous studies – should be investigated in more details. Such study can be carried out by focusing
on the variation in river bed and water surface levels at only El-Mataana gauge station site for a long
period and successive years before and after "HAD" construction.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Authors are appreciatively acknowledging the Nile Research Institute "NRI" of the National Water
Research Center "NWRC" for providing the hydrological data required for conducting the present research.

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Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Civil Engineering, Benha University, Shoubra
Faculty of Engineering, 2012

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Ahmed Fahmy is working as Emeritus Professor in the Hydraulics Research Institute "HRI" of the National
Water Research Center "NWRC" since 2008. He graduated from Ain Shams University; the Faculty of
Engineering in 1972 then joined "HRI" as a Research Engineer for conducting hydrographic field survey
measurements and studying river hydraulic problems applying physical scale model techniques of either fixed or
movable bed. In 1988, He obtained Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Southampton University, Faculty of
Engineering and Applied Science, Southampton, U.K. In year 1997, He promoted to the acting director of the
Channel Maintenance Research Institute "CMRI" then the acting director of the Nile Research Institute "NRI" from
year 2000 to 2008.
Dr. Wail Ahmed is working as a Lecturer at Benha University, Shoubra Faculty of Engineering, Civil
Engineering Department. He graduated from Benha University of Shoubra Faculty of Engineering, Civil
Engineering Department in 2001. He obtained M.Sc and Ph.D degrees in Civil Engineering from Benha
University, Shoubra Faculty of Engineering in 2006 and 2012 respectively. His basic experience is in river and
hydraulic engineering with wide experience in physical modeling and hydrographic survey. He started his
professional career in temporarily base in the Hydraulic Research Institute "HRI" at Delta Barrages as an
executive engineer of physical and mathematical models as well as conducting field survey.

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