Summary and Conclusions

The noble civilizations developed along the Nile (Pharaonic, Nubians, etc.) were flourishing because (mainly) of the achievement they have had in irrigation works that sustained reliable food supply. At that time, agricultural production depends on how high the flood would be. Off the flood season, the Nile water passes down to the Mediterranean Sea. Mounting population pressure, urges the needs for utilizing all seasons flow, which lead to the building of storage reservoirs during the 19 th and 20 th centuries. With further increasing demands, planners have had the intention to increase the all seasons flow by reducing evaporation from the Upper Nile swamps (Sudd, Bahr el Ghazal, Sobat Marches), and pass water directly into the river further downstream.