<P> The Egyptians took advantage of the natural cyclical flooding pattern of the Nile . Because this flooding happened fairly predictably, the Egyptians were able to develop their agricultural practices around it . The water levels of the river would rise in August and September, leaving the floodplain and delta submerged by 1.5 meters of water at the peak of flooding . This yearly flooding of the river is known as inundation . As the floodwaters receded in October, farmers were left with well watered and fertile soil in which to plant their crops . The soil left behind by the flooding is known as silt and was brought from Ethiopian Highlands by the Nile . Planting took place in October once the flooding was over, and crops were left to grow with minimal care until they ripened between the months of March and May . While the flooding of the Nile was much more predictable and calm than other rivers, such as the Tigris and Euphrates, it was not always perfect . High floodwaters were destructive and could destroy canals that were made for irrigation . Lack of flooding created a potentially greater issue because it left Egyptians suffering from famine . </P> <P> To make best use of the waters of the Nile river, the Egyptians developed systems of irrigation . Irrigation allowed the Egyptians to use the Nile's waters for a variety of purposes . Notably, irrigation granted them greater control over their agricultural practices . Flood waters were diverted away from certain areas, such as cities and gardens, to keep them from flooding . Irrigation was also used to provide drinking water to Egyptians . Despite the fact that irrigation was crucial to their agricultural success, there were no statewide regulations on water control . Rather, irrigation was the responsibility of local farmers . However, the earliest and most famous reference to irrigation in Egyptian archaeology has been found on the mace head of the Scorpion King, which has been roughly dated to about 3100 BC . The mace head depicts the king cutting into a ditch that is part of a grid of basin irrigation . The association of the high ranking king with irrigation highlights the importance of irrigation and agriculture to their society . </P> <P> Egyptians developed and utilized a form of water management known as basin irrigation . This practice allowed them to control the rise and fall of the river to best suit their agricultural needs . A crisscross network of earthen walls was formed in a field of crops that would be flooded by the river . When the floods came, the water would be trapped in the basins formed by the walls . This grid would hold water longer than it would have naturally stayed, allowing the earth to become fully saturated for later planting . Once the soil was fully watered, the floodwater that remained in the basin would simply be drained to another basin that was in need of more water . </P> <P> Orchards and gardens were also developed in addition to field planting in the floodplains . This horticulture generally took place further from the floodplain of the Nile, and as a result they required much more work . The perennial irrigation required by gardens forced growers to manually carry water from either a well or the Nile to water their garden crops . Additionally, while the Nile brought silt which naturally fertilized the valley, gardens had to be fertilized by pigeon manure . These gardens and orchards were generally used to grow vegetables, vines and fruit trees . </P>

How did the environment shape the nature of egyptian civilization