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Difficulty: MediumDrainage Systems: Major Rivers and Lakes of Africa

Arrange the following major dams built along the Nile River and its main tributaries in sequence from upstream (near the river's headwaters) to downstream (towards its outlet at the Mediterranean Sea).

  1. 1Nalubaale (Owen Falls) Dam
  2. 2Roseires Dam
  3. 3Merowe Dam
  4. 4Aswan High Dam

Answer

The correct sequence from upstream to downstream is: Nalubaale (Owen Falls) Dam, Roseires Dam, Merowe Dam, and Aswan High Dam.
The Nile River flows from south to north. The correct sequence starting from the source region in Equatorial East Africa and progressing towards the Mediterranean Sea begins with Nalubaale (Owen Falls) Dam at the outlet of Lake Victoria in Uganda. Moving north, Roseires Dam lies on the Blue Nile in southeastern Sudan before the river confluence at Khartoum. Further north, Merowe Dam spans the main Nile at the Fourth Cataract in northern Sudan. Finally, Aswan High Dam controls the main Nile in southern Egypt, making it the most downstream structure of the four.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the headwaters and uppermost river section.
Nalubaale (Owen Falls) Dam is situated at the exit of Lake Victoria in Uganda on the Victoria Nile, making it the most upstream dam listed.
Lake Victoria is the primary source reservoir of the White Nile.
2
Locate dams along the major tributaries before the main confluence.
Roseires Dam is located on the Blue Nile in southeastern Sudan, prior to joining the White Nile at Khartoum.
The Blue Nile originates in Ethiopia and flows northwest into Sudan to meet the White Nile.
3
Trace the course of the main Nile past the Khartoum confluence.
Merowe Dam is situated at the Fourth Cataract in northern Sudan, downstream of the Blue and White Nile confluence at Khartoum.
After the confluence at Khartoum, the main Nile flows north through northern Sudan across several cataracts.
4
Identify the most downstream dam structure near the delta/mouth.
Aswan High Dam is situated in southern Egypt, impounding Lake Nasser near the Egyptian border before the river enters its lower valley and delta.
Egypt represents the northernmost downstream reach of the Nile basin.

Key Concept

Nile Basin Drainage and Infrastructure Sequence
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Drainage Systems: Major Rivers and Lakes of Africa

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