Latest Developments in Morocco’s Water Sovereignty
Morocco continues to implement its national strategy aimed at reinforcing water sovereignty and ensuring sustainable water security, in line with royal directives prioritizing water issues amid climate change and consecutive years of drought.
In recent years, the pace of constructing large and medium-sized dams across various regions of the kingdom has accelerated, following a comprehensive approach that seeks to mobilize water resources, secure drinking water supply, support agricultural irrigation, and mitigate flood risks.
In this context, a number of strategic dams have been completed, among the most notable being the “M’daz” dam in the Sefrou region, with a storage capacity of 700 million cubic meters. This dam is one of the largest water infrastructures in Morocco, expected to alleviate pressure on the aquifer of Saïss plain and enhance connectivity between water basins. The “Tidass” dam, located in the Khmisat region, has a capacity of 507 million cubic meters, aiming to secure the water needs of the population and support agricultural activity in the area.
This dynamic has also included southern and eastern regions, with the completion of the “Akkad” dam in the Zagora region, which has a capacity of 247 million cubic meters to secure drinking water and protect oases from degradation. Additionally, the “Fassak” dam in Guelmim region, with a capacity of 80 million cubic meters, focuses on recharging the aquifer and reducing flood risks, along with the “Toudgha” dam in Tinghir region, which has a capacity of 34 million cubic meters, aimed at enhancing water infrastructure and supporting local development in the southeast.
Locally, the “Kdia Berna” dam in the Sidi Kacem region has been completed, with a capacity of 12 million cubic meters. It plays an important role in providing irrigation water for adjacent agricultural areas and bolstering rural stability, despite its smaller size compared to larger dams.
As part of the proactive management of water resources, authorities have initiated preliminary filling of the “Kdia Berna” dam, alongside the Saquia Al Hamra dam in Laayoune, in preparation for upcoming periods and to ensure optimal use of available stock.
Currently, 15 dams are under construction across various regions of the kingdom, reflecting the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance national storage capacity. It is anticipated that the filling of several of these dams will commence next year, including the “Sidi Abou” dam in the Taounate region, the “Aït Ziyat” dam in the Al Haouz region, the “Beni Azziman” dam in the Driouch region, and the “Tamri” dam in Agadir-Ida-Outanane region.
Regarding smaller dams, the national program has been revised, focusing on the construction of 150 dams, 59 of which are currently under construction, with plans to launch work on more than 40 additional dams in the coming year. This direction aims to overcome challenges related to land and limited resources, by concentrating on dams with capacities not exceeding one million cubic meters and a height of 15 meters, ensuring they can be built in shorter timeframes and with greater efficiency.
These figures, reported by the “Maa Dialna” platform under the Ministry of Equipment and Water, highlight the efforts made to increase Morocco’s total storage capacity, exceeding 1.5 billion cubic meters solely for these projects. This aligns with Morocco’s objective to tackle water scarcity and establish a sustainable management model for this vital resource, supporting economic and social development while ensuring future generations’ right to water.
