Impact Assessment of an Irrigation Improvement Project in Egypt

ISSN： 0920-4741

Source： Water Resources Management, Vol.14, Iss.3, 2000-06, pp. : 229-246

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Abstract

A national Irrigation Improvement Project (IIP) in Egypt was initiated in 1984 after the USAID allocated the required funds to implement the project in eleven command areas. Since then, the project has been extended to other areas, among which is El-Mahmoudia area of 280,000 Feddans (117,600 ha). This study aims at investigating the major expected impacts of the project and to highlight any recommendations and/or measures to be taken before, during, and after its implementation. A key element to implement such study was the development of a numerical approach, capable of quantifying the unrecorded re-circulated irrigation water, so that the water balance can be adjusted accordingly. The calculations have shown that the project has minimal effect on two major drains and consequently on their intercepting lakes. The developed approach has represented a simple and practical tool to implement a reasonable evaluation of different scenarios for the project future impacts.