Morocco dam reservoirs reach 75 percent capacity nationwide

Thursday 04 June 2026 - 16:04

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco dam reservoirs reach 75 percent capacity nationwide

Morocco’s dam reservoirs have reached 75 percent capacity, marking a total stored volume of 12.88 billion cubic meters, according to the latest official hydrological data released on June 4. Authorities presented the figures during a public briefing focused on national water resources, confirming a significant recovery in storage levels after years of volatility driven by rainfall variability and prolonged dry spells.

The current level ensures national coverage of drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and industrial supply for at least two years. In some regions, projections extend up to five years, depending on local consumption patterns and hydrological balance. The improvement reflects a sharp rise compared with the previous year, when reservoir levels stood at 39.53 percent.

Regional performance shows strong disparities across basins. The Sebou basin, the largest in the country, has reached 88 percent capacity, representing more than 4.7 billion cubic meters of water. The Loukkos basin exceeds 90 percent, placing it among the most water-secure areas. The Bouregreg basin has also improved significantly, rising to nearly 89 percent after previously falling below the halfway mark.

Other basins show more uneven recovery. Oum Er-Rbia has rebounded to around 66 percent after severe drought conditions in 2025. In contrast, Souss-Massa remains slightly above 53 percent, while Drâa-Oued Noun stays below 40 percent, highlighting persistent structural water stress in southern regions. Authorities continue to monitor these gaps as part of national water management planning.

The government has accelerated investment in seawater desalination to reduce pressure on dams. The objective is to cover 60 percent of drinking water demand through desalination by 2030, up from 25 percent today. Annual desalinated water production is expected to reach 1.7 billion cubic meters by the end of the decade, supported by new facilities in Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, and Nador.