Advantages of the project
ii. The dam has provided cheap H.E.P. for many industrial complexes especially the mining industries in the region.
iii. There has been an increase in the fishing output on the created man made Kariba lake which is the largest in Africa and about 280km long.
iv. There has been a reduction in the quantities of coal transported to the various industrial areas from the Wankie Coal fields thereby relieving a great burden from the railway.
v. Promotion of the tourism industry which has brought foreign exchange.
vi. There has been control of dangerous floods.
vii. The man made lake Kariba now provides a safe method of communication and a small shipping service is in operation along Zambian-Zimbabwe border.
viii. Provision of employment to the people who work in industries.
ix. The project has acted as model for other development projects in Africa.
Activity
REVISION QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE ANSWERS
Study the map showing part of the Nile valley and answer the questions that follow:
1(a) Name the: (i) canal marked 1,
(ii) dam marked 2,
(iii) lake marked 3,
(iv) towns marked 4 and 5,
(v) rivers marked A and B.
(b) Explain the:
(i) factors which led to the establishment of the dam marked 2,
(ii) importance of the dam to the people living in the area.
(c) Identify the problems that have resulted from the establishment of the dam.
(d) Outline the steps being taken to solve the problems in (c) above.
POSSIBLE ANSWERS.
1(a) (i) Suez canal (ii) Aswan High dam
(iii) Lake 3 is L. Nasser (iv) Towns
(iv) 4 – Alexandria 5. Wadi Halfa
(v) Rivers A – Atbara B – Blue Nile.
(b) (i) the factors are:
i. Need to control floods on the R. Nile.
ii. Storing the water for irrigation during the dry months (Oct – May).
iii. Provide the water required for perennial irrigation.
iv. The need for HEP for use in industries and in homes.
v. Suitable site that is strong basement rock,
vi. Area large enough to accommodate large water reservoir.
vii. Availability of capital to invest in the project.
viii. Advanced technology available for the implementation of the project.
ix. Government policy.
x. The need to increase agricultural productivity in the region to feed growing population.
xi. Presence of River Nile
xii. Height of the fall
xiii. Presence of skilled / unskilled labour.
(ii) The importance :
i. control of the flood waters received after the heavy rainfall received in the months of June -–September.
ii. Generation of Hydro- electricity for industrial and domestic use.
iii. Development of industries which employ a reasonable size of the population.
iv. Increased agricultural productivity which supplies food to the population and raw materials to the agro- based industries.
v. Increase on agricultural land.
vi. Development of the fishing industry on the river and lake reservoir.
vii. Increase individual income.
viii. Development of transport routes on the lake.
ix. Development of towns/urbanisation
x. Growing of crops all year round is possible / due to perennial irrigation.
xi. Improve standards of living.
xii. Provide water for Domestic and industrial use
The problems are:
i. loss of alluvial soils
ii. flooding of new areas due to the back ponding of L. Nasser.
iii. Siltation: the water way and the reservoir in the upper parts continue.
iv. Displacement of the population from their original areas.
v. Diseases and pests associated with stagnant waters e.g. malaria, Bilharzia etc.
vi. High capital investment
vii. Loss of life and property
viii. Pollution of the environment due to the established industries and town.
ix. Erosion of the delta.
x. High cost of resettlement of people.
xi. Loss of water through evaporation and filtration
(d) The steps taken are:
i. De– silting of the lake through dredging
ii. Building of strong embankments to control floods / erosion.
iii. Application of fertilizers to increase soil fertility.
iv. Resettling the displaced people.
v. Government control of the water distribution system.
vi. Spraying regularly to curb water borne diseases etc.