The aqueduct continued to be used during the Ottoman period, but fell into disuses during the French occupation of Egypt by Napoleon between 1798 and 1801 when the water intake tower was adapted for use by the French as a fort. The aqueduct system definitively stopped providing water to the Citadel in the 19th century, probably as late as 1872 when the "Khalij" canal was filled-up during the construction of the new "modern" Cairo under Khedive Isma'il. In the 20th century parts of the aqueduct were lost or destroyed due to disrepair and modern constructions; in particular, the final section of the aqueduct near the Citadel has disappeared.