The simultaneous launching of the High Dam and Toshka Project
Egypt, History, 1/9/2002

That day, 9th January, 2001, commemorates the 41st anniversary of launching the construction of the High Dam when President Nasser gave the historic go-ahead sign on that same day in 1960. This occasion is simultaneous with the 4th anniversary of launching the Toshka Project when President Mubarak gave the go-ahead sign on the same day in 1997.

No wonder that both mega national projects were launched on the same day . Thus, the 9th of January should be always commemorated as one of the glorious days in the history of the Egyptian people.

If the present generations have considered the High Dam Project one of the most important projects made by the Egyptians along their history to control the water of the Nile, the future generations in their turn have the right to consider the Toshka project one of the most important projects made by the Egyptians to maximizethe benefit from the water of the Nile through creating an inhabited and planted valley and thus changing the geographic and economic map of Egypt.

At the noon of 9th January, 1960, President Nasser, in a famous national ceremony, pressed a red button and at once, a charge of dynamites exploded in the nearby mountain where thousands of tons of stones collapsed and diggers, bulldozers and lorries started to remove the debris.

These were the initial moments in the life of the High Dam Project whose construction marked an extensive development in Egypt on all levels. As a completion to this project, Toshka Canal was dug and hence started the Toshka mega project in 1997.

President Mubarak emphasized the great significance of this mega national project in his speech on 9th January, 1997 when he said: "This occasion marks a historic day in Egypt where we can attract the inhabitants to leave the densely-populated Nile valley and populate the other vast regions of Egypt. On this part of Egypt, an epic is created.

It is an epic of hard work and large-scale construction. Thus, a bright future is waiting for the Egyptian people in the 21st century where they can have a better life. Thus, we can see the industrious Egyptian spirit at work in that mega national project. That epic is just a link in the sustained glorious history of the Egyptian nation." Inspired by the President's words, I believe that the occasion of the 9th of January should encourage thinkers to study its significance on the media, educational and cultural levels.

Foundation stone of the High Dam, laid down


The High Dam is the greatest project on the River Nile. It is one of the major national projects of the twentieth century by virtue of its impact on irrigation, agriculture and industry in Egypt.

The Idea

T he idea of constructing a dam across the Nile to regulate the flow of water and protect Egypt from high or low floods has been a dream over the years. In 1902, the Aswan Dam was erected. It was heightened several times yet its storage capacity did not exceed 5 billion cubic metres.

After the July 1952 Revolution, studies were carried out to construct the High Dam at Aswan. The World Bank agreed to finance the huge project but later withdrew its consent. This led Egypt to nationalize the Suez Canal to use its revenues to finance the project.

Implementation

On January 9,1960 the foundation stone of the High Dam was laid. On January 15,1971 a ceremony was held marking the completion of the High Dam. The total cost of its construction was LE 500 million. Fifty thousand engineers and workers took part in the implementation of this giant project.

The High Dam has a rocky foundation that blocks the course of the Nile south of Aswan. It is 3600-meter long and pyramidal in shape. It is 980 meter wide at the base and 40 meters at the top. It is 111 meter high above the Nile floor and 196 meters above sea level. The total amount of building material reached 43 million cubic metres.

There are six huge tunnels under the High Dam, 14 meters in diameter each. They transfer water from the front of the High Dam to its rear. There are 12 huge units for hydraulic power generators. A great lake has been formed in front of the High Dam 500 square kilometers in area. The storage capacity of this lake, Lake Nasser, is 164 billion cubic meters that reach 182 metres high.

Benefits of the High Dam

It has saved Egypt from devastating floods and provided enough water in lean years.

The High Dam water has been used in reclaiming new 1.3 million feddans.

Perennial irrigation of one million feddans has replaced basin irrigation.

Rice and sugar cane production has increased considerably.

The High Dam turbines generate an average of 8 billion kilowatt/hour used in industry and the electrification of all towns and villages in Egypt.

The High Dam has facilitated navigation up and down the Nile all the year round.

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