Nile River Basin

NWNL expeditions and watershed profile

Climate change is predicted to shorten wet seasons, increase precipitation and intensify dry periods in the Nile Basin, which already faces chronic drought and deforestation. High sediment loads from increased deforestation and agriculture have severe environmental consequences; and poor sanitation creates dangerous health issues.

The 1959 Nile Waters Treaty grants usage of 87% of the Nile’s fresh water to Egypt and 13% to Sudan — but no water rights are granted to Ethiopia, even though the Blue Nile’s first 1,529 miles are in that country. Lack of irrigation rights greatly reduces Ethiopia’s agricultural output, contributing to dependence on food aid by 2 million Ethiopians. Yet, downstream, the Nile sustains crops in Egypt’s deserts for export. Fortunately, the Nile Basin Institute has created a framework for agreement on riparian rights. Growing populations throughout all the basin’s nations are demanding access to more water. President Anwar Sadat said in 1979, “The only matter that could take Egypt to war again is water.”