Two types of irrigation systems introduced in Egypt under A.I.D.'s Water Use and Management Project - the traditional rotational system and the continuous flow system - were compared for effectiveness in water distribution as herein reported. The two systems were compared on nine counts: (1) water savings; (2) acceptability to farmers; (3) equitable distribution of water; (4) length of interval between irrigations; (5) effect on water table; (6) land savings; (7) effect on seepage from canals; (8) effect on growth of weeds in canals; and (9) crop yield. Even allowing for generous margins of error to compensate for data inadequacies, results show that continuous flow irrigation was a marked improvement over the rotational system. The former freed land, eliminated detrimental fluctuations in the water table, and reduced water waste by 1,000,000 cubic meters per year. To achieve full benefits, farmers will need to adapt to this new system; the system should be directed by an irrigation engineer who regulates daily water flows. Recommendations for future continuous flow constructions and rotational flow modifications are made. (Author abstract, modified).