Today Marks Inauguration of High Dam in Aswan

Today (Jan. 15) marks the 64th anniversary of the inauguration of the High Dam in Aswan. The dam was built in the 1960s by the Soviet Hydroproject Institute in collaboration with Egyptian engineers. It has been regarded as one of Egypt's most significant achievements of the last century.

The High Dam generates electricity for both upper and lower Egypt, controls flooding throughout the Nile basin, provides water for irrigation and communities, and generates power.

 In 1970, the Soviet Union funded the completion of the dam after the World Bank and the United States withdrew their financing.

Before its construction, the Nile River would flood yearly during late summer, causing damage to the valley, but the dam has successfully controlled the flooding.

The first stage of the embankment dam's construction was marked by Egypt's second president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev, who diverted the course of the Nile River.

The construction of the Aswan High Dam brought about positive changes to the development of Aswan Province, particularly in the tourism sector. However, building the dam necessitated the relocation of over 90,000 Nubians and their artifacts. In addition, it resulted in the formation of the Lake of Nasser.