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The First Aswan Dam (1933) Timeline
1878 to 1879
The Nile River experienced a “fat year” which the level of the river increased by 155 billion cubic meters of water.
1899
Agricultural production was being outstripped by the growth of the population in Egypt and the Sudan; consequently, the Nile had to be controlled if there was to be agricultural stability along its banks.
1899
They begin construction of the First Aswan Dam. This project was designed by Sir William Willcocks and involved some of the principal British engineers of the day, among them Sir Benjamin Baker and Sir John Aird. By building this dam, it would control the power of the Nile. In addition, it would capitulate the hydroelectric power necessary for the many industries in Egypt.
1902
The first Aswan Dam was completed in 1902. It was 1900 meters long and 54 meters high. It and the barrages at Asyut in central Egypt were the significant means of storing irrigation water for the Nile valley before the completion of the Aswan High Dam.
1907 to 1912
The dam’s height was raised in building campaigns.
1929-1933
The Aswan Dam was raised once again and this enlargement added 1 million cubic acres of cropland along the Nile
1946
The Aswan Dam almost overflowed which brought about the ideas of building the second or High Aswan Dam.
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