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NUMERICAL MODELLING ON WATER FLOW IN MANZALA LAKE, NILE DELTA,

NORTHERN EGYPT

Article · April 2016

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
(ISSN: 2308-1365) www.ijcas.net

NUMERICAL MODELLING ON WATER FLOW IN MANZALA

LAKE, NILE DELTA, NORTHERN EGYPT

N.A. El-Naggar*, A.E. Rifaat and M. Kh. Khalil

National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Al-Anfushi 21556, Alexandria, EGYPT
*Correspondence Author E-mail: Naglaa.elnaggar@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of the application of the hydrodynamic of
water flow model experienced within Lake El-Manzala, Egypt. Lake Manzala is the
largest of the Egyptian shallow coastal lakes on the fringe of the Mediterranean Sea and
currently supports 30% of the fresh water fish farm production of Egypt. In recent years
the aquatic health of the lake has significantly deteriorated due to an increase in the
contamination of the lake by polluted inflows and over intensive aquaculture. The focus of
this study is to develop a model that shows the effects of hydrodynamics on pollutant
dispersion from drains and examine a potential mitigation alternative by decreasing the
pollutant loads that enter the Lake. A hydrodynamic model using AQUASEA software
was used to solve the shallow water flow equations using the Galerkin finite element
method. This hydrodynamic model on the Lake can act as an effective decision support
tool for improving the environmental conditions in the surroundings, contamination
prevention efforts for the sustainable use of the Lake, crucial for future planning and
solution of engineering problems.

Keywords: Lake Manzala, Nile Delta, AQUASEA, flow modelling

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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1. Introduction
Economically, Lake Manzala is one of the most important Egyptian farmed fish resources;
it was contributing about 35% of the total country yield during 1980’s (Khalil 1999).
Nowadays, the lake contributes by about 30% from the total annual production of the
Egyptian lakes, which is about 12.5% of Egypt total fish production (Mehanna 2014). The
physical, chemical and biological quality of the lake water has been observed to be
deteriorated dramatically over the last few decades.
This has been documented in numerous field studies [3,4,5,6,1] (Abdel-Star and Geneid
2009, Shakweer 2005, Khedr 1997, Wahaab and Badway 1997, Khalil 1999). The
maintenance of the aquatic health of Lake Manzala is a high priority for the Egyptian
government (UNDP 1997). Several physical factors combine to make the coastal systems
complex and unique in their hydrodynamics and the associated physical transport and
dispersal processes of the coastal flow field are equally complex (Rao and Schwab 2007).
Modeling the circulation inside the lake is an essential tool in order to investigate the Lake
water balance and its flushing rate.
Some studies recently discussed the hydrodynamics of the coastal lakes in Egypt. Bek et
al. (2010) applied the ocean model (FVCOM) to replicate the hydrodynamic flows
experienced within Lake Manzala. However, 2D water quality and eutrophication
screening models were developed for the Lake Edku system (Azab 2012). Rasmussen et
al. (2009) investigated the influence that a reduced inflow nutrient load may have on water
quality of Lake Manzala through hydrodynamic- ecological modelling.
The complex flow model at coastal inlets often induces patterns of accumulation in and
around the opening that causes a wide range of engineering problems. The current study
deals with the water flow hydrodynamics of Lake Manzala that will enhance our
understanding of the hydrodynamic behavior of the Lake. The expected outcomes of the
study are:
1. To represent the general circulations inside the lake.

2. To simulate the effect of hydrodynamics on pollutants dispersion from Bahr El-Baqar

drain that is discharging directly into the Lake then into the Mediterranean Sea.

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2. Materials and methods

2.1 Area of Study
Lake Manzala, situated in the north-eastern Nile Delta, is a shallow, rhombohedra-

shaped wetland (Fig. 1) formed in the actively subsiding delta plain (Stanley 1988, 1990).

It is the largest of the northern Egyptian lakes. The surface area of the lake is 700 km2, and

has an average depth of 1 m (Bek and Lowndes, 2010). The Lake is connected to the

Mediterranean Sea through narrow outlets of El-Gamil and the New El-Gamil. It is

bounded from East by the Suez Canal (there is a very narrow canal (El-Qabuty Canal)

connecting the lake to Suez Canal).

Damietta Branch of the River Nile borders the lake from west (the lake is connected to

Damietta Branch by Enanya Canal). Numerous drains (urban, industrial wastewater and

agricultural runoff) are the main source of water inflow to the lake. Six major drains

(Fareskour, Elserw, Mataria, Hadous, Ramsis and Bahr El-Baqar) contribute a flow flux of

4170 million cubic meters annually (Bek and Lowndes, 2010).

The largest of these is the Bahr El-Baqar drain which carries domestic and industrial

wastewater from the eastern part of Cairo city (Taha et al 2004, Thompson et al. 2009).

Total discharge into Bahr El-Baqar drain is 2,049,030 m3/d and this drain splits into two

branches before it opens into the lake (Saad 1997).

The low tides of the Mediterranean Sea are observed to produce little

hydrodynamic effect on the lake, other than to increase the relative salinity of the lake in

the vicinity of the coastal discharge channels. A characteristic feature of Lake is the

presence of a large number of islets, of sand and mud, created by a combination of natural

sedimentation and dredging operations to facilitate the construction of fish pens.

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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Fig. (1) A map showing the study area

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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These islets divide the Lake into about 30 interconnected basins. Most of these islets are

inhabited by fishermen and farmers. Due to land reclamation, the surface area of the lake

has been decreasing steadily over the past few decades (Bek and Lowndes 2010). So, the

ecosystem of the lake is under intensive pressure from human activities which are rapidly

changing its water quality and environmental health. The major challenges being faced are

the increase in illegal land reclamation and construction of new fish enclosures. These

practices reduce the available lake volume and restrict the free hydrodynamic flows within

the lake.

2.2 Hydrodynamic flow model

2.2.1 Model description
The flow model can simulate water level variations and flows in response to various

forcing functions in lakes, estuaries, bays and coastal areas. The water levels and flows are

approximated in a numerical finite element grid and calculated on the basis of information

on the bathymetry, bed resistance coefficients, wind field and boundary conditions. The

basic equations of flow model that are used in this study are given below as:

The equation of continuity is given by Kolar et al. (1994):

where
H=h+η
h is mean water depth, m
η is change in water level, m
H is total water depth, m
u is velocity component in x-direction, ms-1
v is velocity component in y-direction, ms-1
T is time, s
Q is injected water, m3s-1

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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As the continuity equation includes three unknown variables u, v, and h, thus two

more equations are needed to complete the solution of the problem. These are given by the

momentum equations in two directions:

The Coriolis parameter f, is defined as follows:

f = ϕ ωsin 2

φ is the latitude and ω is the Earth's rate of rotation equal to 7.2722×10-5 s-1. The wind

shear stress parameter, k, is defined as follows:

η is change in water level, m

H is total water depth, m
u is velocity in x-direction, ms-1
v is velocity in y-direction, ms-1
t is time, s
g is acceleration of gravity, ms-2
ω is the Earth's rate of rotation, s-1
φ is latitude, deg
C is Chezy bottom friction coefficient, m1/2s-1
ρa is density of air, kgm-3
CD is wind drag coefficient
ρ is fluid density, kgm-3
Wx is wind velocity in x-direction, ms-1
Wy is wind velocity in y-direction, ms-1
W is wind speed, ms-1
uo is velocity of injected water in x-direction, ms-1
vo is velocity of injected water in y-direction, ms-1

The momentum equations together with the equation of continuity complete the

specification of the shallow water flow problem.

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
(ISSN: 2308-1365) www.ijcas.net

2.2.2 Model grid and forcing factors

The complex bathymetry of Manzala Lake, with many islands and narrow passages

between islands and connections with the sea, requires a bathymetric set up with a flexible

grid size. Therefore, GEBCO Digital Atlas, DXF files, which produced by CAD packages

and contouring programs (Surfer program) were selected. The program AQUASEA 7.2

developed by Vatnaskil Consulting Engineers is used to calculate the shallow water flow

equations using the Galerkin finite element method. The area of study is divided into small

regions of finite elements consisting of 1518 nodes (Fig. 2).

Locations for monitoring

stations for validation process

Fig. (2) Grid used in the model

(The measurement stations used to validate the model are marked with a red dot)

The mesh was generated on triangular formation by inserting nodes manually

using the AQUASEA program. The mesh is composed of triangles, the edges of which are

defined by model nodes. Each triangle is an element, and calculations are carried out for

each element. Boundary conditions on closed internal boundaries are also generated (Fig.

2). In order to generate correct bathymetry, additional nodes were inserted at fast-varied

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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depth sections. The mesh density was also greater inner parts of region than open external

boundary. The conditions defined in external boundaries are ‘no slip’u = v = 0 for solid

surfaces and time-dependent values for the open external boundary (Fig. 2). The input

parameters were, water depth average of the lake is 1 m, the direction of the injected

plume (311°), period of sinusoidal forcing (12 hours), the most common wind direction

(222°), average wind speed (3.9 m/sec), the discharge average flow rate (24 m3/sec) (Saad

1997), the cross-section area of the outlet (61.5 m2), the Chézy coeffiecient (23 m1/2/sec).

Water levels were obtained from Port Said station beside the Lake and total phosphorous

was undertaken at three stations within the lake (Fig. 2). The hydrodynamic accuracy of the

model was validated with data from these locations. The output of the AQUASEA application

is presented using the computer application Surfer 11 from Golden software Company.

3. Results and discussions

Hydrodynamic flow model simulation for Manzala Lake showed that it depends

mostly on wind direction and geometry of the region. Flow takes 13 hour to reach its

original state at the boundary conditions. The velocity magnitude and direction pattern of

outflow around the main coastal outlet at 1 hour are shown in Fig. (3). It should be noticed

that positive value of velocity indicates that the discharge is from sea to lake and vise-

versa. Simulated exchange between Lake and Sea at cross section in outlet indicates that

near the open boundary, the velocity vector is affected mainly by the tidal forces. Inside

the channel links the sea and the Lake can reach 1.69 m/s. Inside the Lake where the

velocity vector is mainly affected by wind direction, the velocity is different between 0.02

and 1.9 m/s. Clockwise and anti-clockwise eddies are generated at different positions

inside the Lake and they are independent of tides. It also should be noticed that the effect

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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of Bahr El Baqar drain discharge on velocity vectors is high to the areas near its inlet,

reaching 2.69 m/s.

Fig. (3) Water flow patterns in El-Manzala Lake thought out simulation time
(The arrows define the directions of the flow)
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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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The occurrence of high velocity at the lake outlet after 5 hours is due to the confluence of

the various exiting flows. In the northern upper part of the lake, the water movement

comes from the west where the water inflow occurs towards the east where the main

coastal outlet exists. Water flow patterns changes in the lake from 6 hours till reach

maximum velocity towards outlet after 8 hours (good mixing with the sea) (Fig. 3). At 9

hours, velocity inside the lake is faded or reaches to zero. At this time, the discharge is

from lake to sea and water movement comes from the south at Bahr El-Baqar towards the

main coastal outlet. In this region the water flows parallel to the shoreline. This movement

is motivated by the wind shear stress which is responsible for the water circulation inside

the lake annually (Bek and Lowndes 2010). After 10 hours velocity gradually increases at

outlet and inside the lake. At this time the velocity value becomes negative that the

discharge is from the lake to the sea. After 13 hour, flow pattern reach its original state,

water flow occurs from the sea towards the main coastal outlet into the lake as after 1

hour.

To study model results in more details, we picked up some nodes to study their

elevation and velocity; and we track some nodes on how they move in our area of study.

This can be seen in the Fig. (4).

Node 675: Pathline

Node 1075: time series

Node 1091: Pathline

Node 1340, 1341:

Pathline

Node 1156: time series

Node 1163: time

Node 1145: Pathline
series

Fig (4) Some nodes and their type in nodal inputs for flow model
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 International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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Time series nodes are to study their elevation and velocity at node 1156 (Fig. 5a-b)

whereas pathline nodes are to study their movement at nodes 1340, 1341, 1091, 675, 1163

(Fig. 5c).

Fig (5a): Velocity changes (m/s) during flow modeling Fig (5b): Elevation changes during flow modeling
through out the entire simulation period at node 1156. through out the entire simulation period at node 1156.

Fig (5c): Water particle pathlines from different points in the Lake.

From the above figures, we can see that the similar results are obtained, which is

consistent with general idea that a "good" mixing zone occurs inside the inlet through out

6 hour, and flow takes 13 hour to reach its original state at the boundary conditions.

Velocity varies from low (0.02-1.9 m/s) inside the Lake to high (1.69 m/s) inside the

coastal outlet. Further, some water particles does not succeed to move outside the channel,

which means we can or not obtain renewable water and hence good water quality

parameters. Flow direction also effected mostly by island inside the Lake as can be seen

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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from vector velocities in the above figures. Finally, some practices should be made to

ensure that water inside the channel is mixed entirely with water outside the channel and

this is confirmed by pollutant dispersion within the lake.

To simulate the effects of pollutant dispersion within the lake domain, total

phosphorous concentrations of 776.71 µg/l were measured inside Bahr El-Baqar drain.

Total phosphorous patterns took 6 hours to spread all over the lake till reach the main

coastal outlet, so we can conclude that pollutants dispersion from Bahr El-Baqar drain can

affect water quality of the Lake (Fig. 6).

Fig (6): Total phosphorous concentrations plume at 1, 2, and 13 hours after it was
released from Bahr El-Baqar drain.

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 International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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The model was calibrated using the data available of daily averaged water levels

and Total phosphorous. The simulated water levels are compared to water levels data used

from Port Said station beside the Lake (Fig. 7a). The variations between the measured and

predicted date are caused by lack of continuous recording of water levels and the error and

uncertainty in the manually measured data. In addition the water level used in the

simulation is from Port Said station beside the Lake not well distributed stations all over

the Lake.

0.8 900
measured measured
0.7 simulated 800 simulated
700
Total phosphorous µg/l

0.6
Water level (m)

0.5 600
500
0.4
400
0.3
300
0.2
200
0.1
100
0
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0 1 2 3
Time (hour)
S tations No.

(a) (b)

Fig. (7): Simulated and measured water levels (a) and total phosphorous at three stations (b).

The predicted model lake total phosphorous distributions were validated against

the measured data. Fig. (7b) represents a comparison between the measured and predicted

total phosphorous at the 3 sampling stations. The predicted total phosphorous is in a good

agreement with the measured data. The complex geometry of the central zone makes

accurate total phosphorous prediction for station 2 is hard to achieve.

4. Conclusion

Based upon the flow model presented in this research, it may be concluded that the results

are useful to asses any proposed engineering solution for preserving the aquatic system of

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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the Lake and stop the continuous deterioration of the water quality. The simulation results

revealed that the main driving forces that are responsible for the circulation patterns inside

the Lake is wind and drains' discharges. The direction of flow is from the Lake to the sea

and vise versa and a pollutant coming from Bahr El-Baqar drain affects the whole area of

the Lake. A permanent monitoring system should be established to get continuous records

of both hydrodynamic and water quality parameters and should cover all parts of the Lake.

Therefore, the results of this study would be an important input in the contamination

prevention efforts for the sustainable use of the Lake.

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International Journal of Contemporary Applied Sciences Vol. 3, No. 4, April 2016
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