Overview of the geomorphological and hydrogeological characteristics of the Eastern Desert of Egypt

Although, the Eastern Desert of Egypt forms about 22% of the surface area of the country, the area is undeveloped due to the limited availability of water. The morphologic units of the Eastern Desert consist of a number of drainage basins covering about 147,820 km² (66.5% of the total surface area of the Eastern Desert). The basins drain the occasional rainwater, either towards the Nile Valley or to the Red Sea, causing flood hazards. The availability of water from the hydrologic systems of these basins could be improved by constructing runoff controlling systems in these areas (e.g. dykes and partially effective dams), which could save and make use of a considerable amount of water. The groundwater resources in the Eastern Desert can be divided into four main water-bearing units: the fractured crystalline Pre-Cambrian aquifer, the Nubian sandstone aquifer, the fractured limestone and sandstone aquifer and the Quaternary aquifer. The most productive aquifer is the Nubian sandstone while the fractured limestone and sandstone (Miocene) are only productive along the eastern part of the desert. The Quaternary aquifer occurs along the major dry washes (wadis) and is considered of limited potential as it is recharged mainly from the occasional rainfall. Detailed assessment of these aquifers should be carried out locally for further development of the area.