Environmental Impact Assessment of Naama Bay Fountain, Sharm El’Shiekh, Southern Sinai, Egypt

A project for the installation and operation of a floating fountain in Na’ama bay, Sharm El’Shiekh, Southern Sinai is proposed. To fulfill the requirements of the project, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study was conducted to identify and assess potential impacts of the project on environment of the bay. In the framework of the project, the following activities were conducted: 1- Bathymetric Survey 2- Bottom Survey 3- Current and tide measurements 4- Meteorological data were obtained 5- Wave refraction and diffraction models were constructed and applied 6- Current models were constructed and applied, and 7- Modeling of water suction and flow by fountain From these activities, the following conclusions were reached: The proposed site is suitable for the installation of the fountain since the energy transmitted by waves to different parts of the bay is very small. However, for safety reasons and because of the slope of the bottom and the area defined for transmission of deeper waves into the bay, another location is proposed.The results of the EIA study conducted for the project of installing and operating a floating fountain in Na’ama bay area indicated that the project might have minor potential impacts on the environment in the bay. These impacts will bee mostly limited to the installation phase and will be transient and localized in nature as well. However, it is expected that the project will also significantly contribute to the attractiveness of the area, thus promoting tourism and recreational activities, employment and income in the area.