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Abstract Lake (Mariut) Maryout is lying south of Alexandria City. It is the second largest city in Egypt and it has about 40 % of the total Egyptian industrial activities. This lake is of vital importance as it is the main source of the common and favorite fish (Tilapia species) for most of Alexandrine people. It is also a good nesting ground for many migrating birds and is a place for creation, entertainment and different water sports such as line fishing. Lake Maryout is one of four Delta shallow (brackish water) lakes or lagoons (Fig.1), namely Manzalah. Burrulus, Edku and Maryout, adjoin the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. This lake lies at latitudes between 31 ° 04’ and 31° 08’ Nand longitudes between 29° 49’ and 29° 56’ E, and dislikes the other delta lakes by having no direct connection with the Mediterranean Sea as there is a natural ridge or barrier separating the lake from the sea (more detailed description for the historical development of the lake is present in page 17). Lake Maryout currently is composed of four basins (Fig. 2a); namely the Main Basin (proper lake), Northwest Basin, Fisheries Farm Basin and Southwest Basin, most of the fish catch comes from the Main Basin (Thomas et ai, 1994). The average water depth of the lake is about 1 meter and the water level is always kept at about 2.8 m below sea level. This makes the lake to work as a sink to drain different kinds of drainage waters from neighboring catchment areas of Alexandria and Bohaira Provinces. The surplus water rom the lake flows first to a neighboring Omoum Drain before pumping to the sea using several pumps at EI-Mex pumping station (Fig. 2a). |