This river provided reliable and predictable water supplies that allowed for agriculture and commercial settlements to develop. Ancient Egyptians learned the flooding of the Nile predictably occurred each year between June and September. They learned to partially control this event by means of irrigation. The Egyptians would prepare for the annual flooding by safely removing anything of value from the banks of the river and then wait for the waters to recede. The floods brought good rich soil up onto the land good for growing barley and other grains. After the water level went back down they would quickly plant their new crops (Challen, 2005). Animal husbandry was also a key to successful farming. The Egyptians domesticated cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and poultry. Cattle and donkeys were used for pulling plows as well as threshing. Cattle were also used for milk and meat while sheep and goats provided wool, milk, and meat and helped with the trampling of seeds. Ducks, geese, and pigeons were also kept (Ashcroft, NDI). Famine resulted during years of inadequate or surplus...

Without the river to provide the means for nourishment civilization in the vast desert would have been impossible. Egypt's geographical placement was another fortunate happenstance that allowed their culture to develop continuously with minimal outside interference. Ultimately it was the Egyptian people's ability to harness the power and agricultural riches of the Nile that allowed for the growth of their civilization.
References

Ashcroft, a. (NDI). The river Nile. The Ancient Egyptians. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www.theancientegyptians.com/RiverNile.htm

Challen, P.C. (2005). Life in ancient Egypt. New York: Crabtree Publishing.

Lloyd, a.B. (ed). (2010). A companion to ancient Egypt. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.