Was the Nile River more helpful or harmful to the Egyptian civilization?

[Sara]

I can see how it would be both - 1. it would create soil that is good for farming... but on the other...
the flooding wuldn't be good for the civilization, would it?

History has never been my subject, so forgive the stupid question.
That's what I had thought..
I was just thinking perhaps the flooding had downfalls as well?

But it seems as though it was certainly more helpful. Thanks.

 

[Louise C]

The Nile flooding caused the crops to grow, so it was eagerly anticipated by the Egyptians. If there hadn't been a Nile there would have been no Egyptian civilization, it wasn't just helpful, it was crucial.