What is Flooding of the Nile?
[[File:Egypt.Aswan.ElephantineIsland.Nilometer.01.jpg|thumb|Nilometer on [[Elephantine Island]] near [[Aswan]]]] Before the [[Aswan Dam]] was built (1898-1902). there was a [[Nile]] flood, once a year. This flood carried rich [[sediments]], which made the soil [[fertile]]. [[Egypt]] is located in the [[desert]], and [[agriculture]] is only possible close to the Nile. A rainy season in [[Ethiopia]] starts the flooding, which used to occur between May and August. During this time, the [[Blue Nile]] has five times as much water as the [[White Nile]]. During the rest of the year, the White Nile has almost twice as much water than the Blue Nile. This event was visible in [[Aswan]], starting in June, and reaching its peak in August. The water reaches the eastuary of the Nile about two weeks later. The flooding always occurs at the same time; in some years it may be a few days erlier, in others it will be a few days later. What cannot be prediced is the total amount of water. Little water meant [[drought]]s and [[famine]]. Too much water would cause damage to dams and houses. [[Category:Egyptian mythology]] [[Category:Floods]] [[Category:Nile]] {{weather-stub}}