Mohammed V dam reaches 86% capacity after heavy rains in Eastern Morocco

Morocco’s Mohammed V Dam in the country’s eastern region reached an exceptional 86% of its capacity as of Feb. 6, boosted by recent rainfall that has strengthened water security and raised expectations for a strong agricultural season, officials said.

According to official figures, the dam is currently holding about 141.1 million cubic meters of water, out of a total capacity of nearly 165 million cubic meters. The facility plays a key role in the Moulouya River basin, both in storing water resources and regulating flood flows.

Mustapha Bouazza, secretary-general of the Moulouya Basin Water Agency, said the recent rainfall has also improved levels at other major dams in the basin. Overall storage in the lower Moulouya basin, including Mohammed V Dam, has reached 76%, or about 300.9 million cubic meters.

Bouazza said the Oued Za Dam is currently 69% full, holding about 156.8 million cubic meters, while the Mechraâ Hammadi Dam stands at 66% capacity, with roughly 3.1 million cubic meters.

To manage excess inflows, authorities have taken preventive measures, including creating reserve capacity to absorb sudden flood surges and releasing water at controlled rates to ensure dam safety and protect downstream communities. The measures are being implemented in coordination with the central government and local authorities, Bouazza said.

Abderrahmane Adli, head of Mohammed V Dam, said the reservoir has seen a sharp rise in recent months, increasing from about 25.4 million cubic meters — or 15% capacity — in December to more than 141 million cubic meters currently.

He added that Mechraâ Hammadi Dam serves as the main distribution point for the irrigation canal supplying the provinces of Berkane and Nador, helping irrigate farmland and provide drinking water to several urban centers. Adli described the current hydrological situation as “reassuring.”

Meanwhile, work continues on raising the height of Mohammed V Dam, which has been in service since 1967. Hussein Bahmed, who oversees the elevation project, said construction has reached about 69% completion.

The project aims to address sediment buildup and significantly expand the dam’s storage capacity. By increasing the dam’s height by 12 meters, capacity is expected to rise to nearly 1 billion cubic meters, compared with the current 165 million cubic meters.

Officials say the expansion will enhance water security, support irrigation across the Moulouya perimeter, enable hydroelectric power generation and strengthen flood protection. The project, launched in April 2021 and carried out by Moroccan engineering teams, is part of the country’s broader strategy to manage water resources and adapt to climate challenges.