The Aswan Dam, or more specifically since the 1960s, the Aswan High Dam, is an embankment dam built across the Nile in Aswan, Egypt, between 1960 and 1970. Its significance largely eclipsed the previous Aswan Low Dam initially completed in 1902 downstream. The Aswan Dam benefits Egypt by controlling the annual floods on the Nile River and prevents the damage which used to occur along the floodplain. The Aswan High Dam provides about half of Egypt's power supply and has improved navigation along the river by keeping the water flow consistent. Although one of the benefits of the Aswan High Dam was the ability of farmers to grow crops year round, the stoppage of the Nile floods has had negative effects as well. The yearly flooding deposited a layer of rich, fertile soil that was excellent for growing crops.