[Paper Review] Merowe Dam and the inundation of paleochannels of the Nile

Amelia Carolina Sparavigna|arXiv (Cornell University)|Nov 22, 2010

Historical and Architectural Studies5 references4 citations

TL;DR

This study uses satellite imagery to analyze the inundation of paleochannels in northern Sudan due to the Merowe Dam reservoir's creation. By comparing pre- and post-dam images, the research demonstrates how the reservoir flooded ancient riverbeds, submerging fertile agricultural land and archaeological sites, highlighting the environmental and cultural impact of large-scale hydroelectric projects in arid regions.

ABSTRACT

The course of the Nile in northern Sudan follows a contorted path through bedrocks, creating the Great Bend. Few years ago, the satellite images showed a fertile strip of land with villages, where paleochannels of the river hosted many fields with cultivations and archaeological sites. Now, a huge part of this valley is under the waters of Merowe Dam reservoir. Comparing the images of the region before and after the dam gates were closed, we can see that the reservoir created itself through flooding the paleochannels.

Motivation & Objective

• To assess the environmental and cultural impact of the Merowe Dam on ancient river systems in northern Sudan.
• To document the extent of paleochannel inundation following the reservoir's filling.
• To use satellite imagery to compare pre- and post-dam conditions in the region.
• To evaluate the loss of agricultural land and archaeological heritage due to reservoir creation.
• To contribute to the understanding of anthropogenic landscape changes in arid, tectonically active regions.

Proposed method

• Acquisition and analysis of satellite images from before and after the Merowe Dam reservoir was filled.
• Application of image processing techniques to detect changes in land cover and hydrological features.
• Mapping of paleochannel systems based on geomorphological and hydrological patterns visible in satellite data.
• Comparison of pre-dam agricultural and settlement patterns with post-dam inundation zones.
• Use of visual interpretation and spatial analysis to identify submerged archaeological sites and cultivated areas.
• Integration of geographic and archaeological data to assess the scale of cultural and environmental loss.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 To what extent did the Merowe Dam reservoir flood pre-existing paleochannels of the Nile in northern Sudan?
• RQ2 How did the inundation affect the distribution and continuity of agricultural land in the region?
• RQ3 What was the impact of reservoir formation on known archaeological sites located within paleochannel systems?
• RQ4 How did the geomorphology of the Great Bend of the Nile influence the spatial pattern of flooding?
• RQ5 What role do satellite imagery and image processing play in assessing the environmental consequences of large dams?

Key findings

• The Merowe Dam reservoir extensively flooded paleochannels of the Nile, submerging a large portion of the previously fertile valley.
• Pre-dam satellite imagery revealed a dense network of cultivated fields and villages along the paleochannels.
• Post-dam imagery confirmed that the reservoir expanded primarily by flooding these ancient riverbeds.
• The inundation resulted in the loss of significant agricultural land and potential archaeological sites.
• Image comparison demonstrated a clear and dramatic transformation of the landscape following dam closure.
• The study confirms that large-scale infrastructure projects in arid regions can cause irreversible changes to paleo-landscape systems.