Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Aswan reservoir is the segment of the Nile located between the old Aswan Dam (completed in 1920) and the High Dam. It is 7 km in length and ranges between 1.5 and 4 km in width. The shores are very steep and rocky, with many inundated desert wadis (khors), most of which are on the eastern side. Several small granite islands (part of the First Cataract) are found in the northern section of the reservoir. The water in the reservoir is maintained at a fairly stable level, allowing a narrow fringe of vegetation to grow.
Ceratophyllum and
Potamogeton are the dominant aquatic plants.
See Box for key species.
Aythya nyroca winters in internationally important numbers. Over 6,000 waterbirds were counted in winter 1989/90, while c.3,000 were counted in February 1995. The most numerous birds were
Anas penelope,
Aythya ferina,
Aythya fuligula and
Fulica atra. Characteristic breeding birds include
Gallinula chloropus,
Vanellus spinosus and
Ceryle rudis.
Egretta garzetta and
Ardeola ralloides breed in the vicinity of the reservoir.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Urban encroachment on neighbouring shores, and resultant pollution and disturbance, are threatening to diminish the value of this area as a waterbird habitat. Shooting of waterbirds, particularly by visiting European hunters, is reported to take place regularly during winter.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aswan reservoir (Egypt). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aswan-reservoir-iba-egypt on 23/11/2024.
