Kheng Grou dam in Figuig nears completion with 2026 delivery target

19:00

The Kheng Grou dam in Morocco’s Figuig province has entered the final stage of construction, with completion now estimated at 91%. Project officials indicate that the major infrastructure project is expected to be delivered before the end of 2026, marking a significant step in efforts to strengthen water management in the region.

Construction accelerates toward the final phase

Construction of the dam began in March 2022, with progress accelerating considerably during the past several months. The project had reached around 70% completion in April before advancing beyond the 90% threshold.

Work is currently focused on the remaining construction and finishing operations, with crews maintaining an intensive schedule to keep the project on track for its planned commissioning date.

The project represents an investment of approximately 1.2 billion dirhams. The dam is being built at the meeting point of Oued Grou and four tributaries, creating a major reservoir designed to capture and regulate surface water resources.

The structure will stand 79 metres high, while its crest will extend for about 190 metres. Once operational, the reservoir is expected to hold up to 1.07 billion cubic metres of water.

A strategic role in regional water security

Beyond its scale, the project is intended to address several interconnected water challenges facing the province. By increasing the availability of surface water, the dam is expected to help reduce reliance on underground reserves while providing additional storage capacity for rainfall.

Part of the stored water will be allocated to drinking-water supplies for rural communities. Beni Tadjit, Chouiter, Aïn Chaïr and Bouanane are among the areas expected to benefit, covering a population of roughly 7,500 people.

The infrastructure is also designed to support agricultural development, particularly in a region where water availability directly affects farming activity and oasis ecosystems.

Irrigated farmland set for major expansion

One of the project's most significant agricultural objectives is the expansion of irrigated land. The area supplied by irrigation is expected to increase from approximately 500 hectares to 3,000 hectares.

Annual water allocations for irrigation are similarly projected to rise from around 5 million cubic metres to 30 million cubic metres. The increase is intended to provide farmers with greater access to regulated water supplies while supporting agricultural activity in the surrounding areas.

The dam is also expected to play a role in replenishing groundwater reserves and supplying the khettaras that form part of the traditional water systems serving local oases.

New road to improve access to the dam

The project extends beyond the dam itself. A roughly 40-kilometre road linking Tadjite with the reservoir site is also being developed, improving access to the infrastructure and connections between the communities and areas concerned by the project.

Construction has generated employment during the implementation phase, while the completed site could eventually support recreational activities, sports tourism and other forms of water-related tourism.

A multipurpose infrastructure project

With a storage capacity of 1.07 billion cubic metres, Kheng Grou is being positioned as more than a conventional water-storage facility. Its planned functions combine drinking-water supply, irrigation, groundwater management and support for oasis agriculture.

The project's expected commissioning before the end of 2026 will therefore represent an important milestone for Figuig province, particularly as Morocco continues to invest in infrastructure aimed at improving the management and availability of water resources.