Seven
major old deltaic branches of the Nile River are mentioned in various
historical documents and in ancient maps. At the point of discharge of the Nile
into the Mediterranean, the great Nile delta has formed and furnishes the most
fertile area for cultivation in the Egyptian territory . Currently, the Nile
delta is embraced by two large branches of the Nile (the Rosetta and Damietta
branches and their promontories). Both the Rosetta and Damietta branches
discharge some freshwater directly and indirectly into the Mediterranean Sea to
form the Nile estuary (also known as the Nile delta coastal area).
Fluctuations
in both quantity and quality of the Nile water reaching the Mediterranean,
especially as a result of the Aswan High Dam (AHD) construction in 1965, have
profoundly influenced the ecological characteristics of the river and the
surrounding marine environment. These two main branches developed the Rosetta
and Damietta promontories which have pro-graded during Holocene times into the
Mediterranean Sea. Rosetta Branch flows downstream Delta Barrage to the
North-West where it ends with Edfina Barrage which releases excess water to the
Mediterranean Sea. The Rosetta Branch water serves for a wide range of
functions including tourism, trading and agricultural activities, industrial
and domestic water supply, fisheries and recreation.
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