The construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt has provided many benefits, but they have come with a cost. Benefits include the creation of Lake Nasser, one of the world's largest artificial lakes; the production of hydroelectricity to supply 15 percent or more of Egyptian energy needs; and the elimination of unpredictable seasonal flooding. Costs associated with the dam include the displacement of thousands of Nile Valley residents in Egypt and Sudan; the reduction of fertile soil deposits, which has changed native plant species and required the use of more artificial fertilizers in agricultural production; and the billion-dollar price tag of the dam's construction.
