Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-03-07
The Big Nile Dam.

From the ages of the dynasties OF
shepherd kings and PharOahs "a low
Nile" or "a high Nile" has meant
dearth or plenty to the land of Egypt.
In proportion as the river spread its
fertilizing waters in food time along
its banks the crop of the season was
assured. If for one or more years in
succession its volume fell short famine
stared the people in the face.
Imperial Rome depended largely on
the granaries of Egypt for the daily
bread of her populace, but in her great
constructive days she failed to insure
the constancy Of supplies in grain and
other products of Egypt's soil which
is confidently anticipated by the ap-
preaching regulation of the rise and
fall of the ancient river.
Just two years have passed since
the foundation stone of the great Nile
dam at Assouan was laid. 1t was bed
ded on a high portion of solid rock
and was placed by the Duke Of Con-
naught. Across the river. which Is
mile broad there, the massive wall has
been steadily built up of asher granite
welding together the rocks which form
the dangerous First Cataract. The
length of the dam is about 5000 feet.
It's strength had to be designed to hold
in reserve for purposes OF irrigation
a great mass of water.
When the river is il food its wa
ters will gush through the massive
sluice gates. In the autumn months
the sluice gates will be closed until
the reservoir thus formed is full and
ready to be distributed by channels
over the agricultural lands on each
side. When the water Is most needed
Gn August and April for the crops
of corn, sugar, cotton and rice the
supply in the lower river will be IN
creased from the reservoir and thus a
fairly even supply of water will be at
forded throughout the year. A canal
with numerous locks is to be con-
structed to give passage to the Nile
steamers and other traffic.
Commercially the value of the dam
to Egypt in the future can hardly be
estimated. It's immediate effect, ac-
cording to the Egyptian Government 8
engineer, will be to bring under cul-
tivation 100000 additional acres Of
land. This is in addition to putting
certain districts and levels beyond the
ordinary risks of food and drought.
Ar area of 100000 acres, now in
fair cultivation, will be converted into
land of the first efficiency in crop-pro-
ducing qualities Over the whole
area Sir William Garstin, the Secre-
tarv of State for Public Works, be-
lieves the value of summer crops will
be increased by as much as $50 an
acre. Egypts resources for growing
corn and cotton will thus be immense
ly enhanced and are likely to bring
her forward as a competitor in the
worlds markets.
From the engineering point Of view
the stupendous nature of the under
taking will be realized from the ef-
feet it will have of creating practical
ly lake IA miles long, impounding
more than l,OOO,OOO,OOO tons Of wa
ter. At some periods of the year, it
is said, 100000 tons a minute will
gush through the sluices. The dam
will raise the river about &c feet
above its usual previous level. 1t Is
broad enough for a carriage road to
run along its top.
Nowhere else in the Nile Valley,
says Sir Benjamin Baker, who has
carried out the work, were to be found
such advantages Of site, sound rock,
numerous islands and shadows in
which to work. The openings Of the
sluices are to be lined with cast iron
one and a half inches thick, SO as ef-
fectually to guard against the destruc-
tion from the constant impact Of large
volumes Of water at high velocity.
The width Of the base of the dam has
been made such that the pressure on
the solid granite masonry will be less
than that on any of the great dams Of
the world.
"Rev. Cyrus Townsend Brady tells