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Irrigation canal network problems are resulting from insufficient design, execution, and poor operation and maintenance. In this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the main problems of irrigation networks in Egypt and remediation measures for rehabilitation and optimal irrigation for 3.78 million ha. Recent studies, on the other hand, have shown that most of the existing networks, which have been constructed with colossal costs, suffer from various technical and social problems during the construction and operation processes. To achieve this purpose, (i) strategic planning methods and guidelines have been used to analyze and assess the irrigation networks; and (ii) field studies, visits, and organization of main and sub-main committees with stakeholder participation have been carried out, and (iii) review of literary works and holding of workshops have been applied. Based on the outcomes during the workshops and the main committee, all problems of irrigation systems were categorized into six main topics developing irrigation network systems; environmental assessment; improvement of design quality; improvement of supervision and execution; improvement of operation and maintenance; and monitoring of the system. For each topic, the existing problems in the networks were presented separately in the form of a problem diagram and then a target diagram was developed to optimize and modify the networks. An attempt was made to consider the different core criteria and set time priorities (short, medium, and long term) to determine the performance of the proposed executive and research strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alexandria port is the main Egyptian port at the Mediterranean Sea. It is connected to the Nile River through Nubaria canal, which is a main irrigation canal. The canal was designed to irrigate eight hundred thousand acres of agricultural lands, along its course which extends 100km. The canal has three barrages and four locks to control the flow and allow light navigation by some small barges. Recently, it was decided to improve the locks located on the canal. More than 40million US$ was invested in these projects. This decision was taken to allow larger barges and increase the transported capacity through the canal. On the other hand, navigation through canals and restricted shallow waterways is affected by several parameters related to both the channel and the vessel. Navigation lane width as well as vessel speed and maneuverability are affected by both the channel and vessel dimensions. Moreover, vessel dimensions and speed will affect the canal stability. In Egypt, there are no guide rules for navigation through narrow and shallow canals such Nubaria. This situation threatens the canal stability and safety of navigation through it. This paper discussed the characteristics of Nubaria canal and the guide rules for navigation in shallow restricted water ways. Dimensions limitation for barges navigating through Nubaria canal is presented. New safe operation rules for navigation in Nubaria canal are also presented. Moreover, the implication of navigation through locks on canal discharge is estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose - The Suez Irrigation Canal is the source of drinking water to a large community. Complaints have been raised regarding the odor and unpleasant taste of drinking water. The problems encountered reveled enrichment of the Canal with nutrients, degraded water quality and nuisance caused by algal growth. This paper aims to investigate these claims by evaluating the interaction between water and sediment with ecological indicators. Design/methodology/approach - Bioassessments were used as a primary tool to evaluate the biological conditions and identify the degree of water quality degradation in the Suez Irrigation Canal. The monitoring program integrates biological, chemical, and physical data assessment. Several field surveys were carried out to these areas during the period between March 2003 and February 2005 (over 23 months) for acquiring all possible information about the current situation and to explore the impact of human activities along the canal banks on the canal ecosystem. Seasonal variations of phytoplankton and zooplankton standing crop, species diversity as well as physico-chemical characteristics of water, sediment, fish and aquatic weeds at the intakes of drinking plants and from the discharge of agricultural and domestic drains into the Canal were investigated. Findings - Preliminary field investigations showed great amounts of discharged wastes at several locations to the canal water creating unique conditions, which vary with changes of volume and properties of the discharged wastes. Rotifer and green algae for example demonstrated seasonal variable response to the ecological variations. Myriophyllum spicatum, Potamageton nodsus and Polygonum Salicfolium were the most common types of recorded weed. The Myriophyllum spicatum is the dominant submerged plant. The canal was characterized by high concentrations of HCO3 as well as high pH> 8.2 which provides a favorable habitat for the growth of Myriophyllum spicatum. The results illustrated the ability of using the aquatic weed as biomarkers for monitoring heavy metals contaminates in the canal. The evidence suggests that there is a degree of selectivity in metals uptake and partitioning within the plant compartments. Originality/value - The current paper adopts the idea of utilizing multiple organism groups in the bioassessment to effectively detect ecological change when they occur in one of the most important waterways in Egypt. These different organism groups are suited for detection various stressors, providing warnings and detection of stress impacts at different scales. The study presented provides decision makers with important information that can assist them in making objective decisions related to the design of monitoring programs based on scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]