Nile dam negotiations make progress

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan say they have reached a common understanding that paves the way for a breakthrough agreement on a massive dam project on the River Nile


Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD): Leaders of three countries have agreed to pursue “further technical discussions” on filling of vast reservoir behind dam

Reservoir: Ethiopia has said it would begin filling in July, even without deal being reached. Egypt and Sudan fear rapid filling could affect water supplies from Nile further downstream

Maximum reservoir extent to be achieved under current level of dam completion

Blue Nile
Contributes up to 85% of water that flows into River Nile
5km 3 miles


SUDAN
Lake Tana
Addis Ababa
Blue Nile 
ETHIOPIA
SOMALIA
YEMEN
200km 125 miles


Dam under construction (Nov 2019 image): Ethiopia says it has achieved first-year filling target due to rainy season and water is already cresting dam

Centre spillway: Currently 70m above river bed (will be 150m when finished)

Reservoir

Turbine outlets

This section is now same height as rest of spillway

Turbine outlets
16 power turbines will boost Ethiopia’s electricity capacity by 10 percent

150m 500ft


Sources: Associated Press, Stratfor
Pictures: Google Earth 
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