74 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



February 



The clam was designed by Sir William 

 \Vilcocks, an English engineer, in con- 

 sultation with Sir Samuel Baker and Sir 

 Benjamin Baker; the foundation stone 

 \\-aslaicl February 12, 1899, by the Duke 

 of Connaught,and the formal completion 

 was announced December 10, 1902, by 

 the same gentleman, the brother of the 

 king, when the khedive turned a key 

 which put in motion the electric dyna- 

 mos which are to furnish the power to 

 operate the sluice gates. 



The construction of this dam creates 

 a reservoir 140 miles square, which is 



capable of storing several billion tons of 

 water. The difference in the level of the 

 river above and below the dam is 67 

 feet, and navigation is assisted by a 

 series of four locks, each 400 feet long 

 and 35 feet wide. They will save great 

 delays and cost in the transportation of 

 merchandise, which is one of the most 

 important benefits to be derived from the 

 enterprise. Formerly navigation up the 

 rapids was very expensive and tedious, 

 for all the boats had to be towed by 

 Nubians at a considerable cost. 



During the construction of the dam 



OF THE GATES WHICH OPERATK THE LOCKS. ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR THE 



NICARAGUA CANAL. 



