4.1.3. Water channels
Figure 5, shows three main irrigation canals and drain categories included in the database layout of the
Nile Delta, lengths of each category are presented in table 4. The irrigation canals of more than 25 m width
have a total length of 2033.63 km, while those of 10 - 25 m width attain a total length of 5035.25 km. the
canals of 5 to 10 m width are the dominant type of irrigation canals in the Nile Delta, as they have a total
length of 16958.40 km. The drainage canals of more than 25 m width have a total length of 1556.69 km,
while those having 10 to 25 m width attains 6992.34 km length. It is noticed that the ratio between irrigation
canals lengths and drainage networks is 1: 0.63 this is considered as a good ratio, satisfactory to sustain soil
salinity status. However, this ratio is higher in the middle and south of the Nile Delta and lower in the
northern parts, where water logging and salinization take place.