Morocco's Dam Storage Capacity Has Doubled Since 1979 to 20.8 Billion m³
Data from Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water shows the country's total dam storage capacity rose from 9.5 billion cubic meters in 1979 to 20.8 billion cubic meters today, with the number of dams increasing from 26 to 156, as the government plans 42 additional large dams by 2050.
Data published by Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water shows that the country's total dam storage capacity has more than doubled since 1979, rising from 9.5 billion cubic meters to 20.8 billion cubic meters today, while the number of dams built nationwide grew from just 26 to 156 over the same period.
This growth, reflecting a continuous construction strategy spanning more than four decades, carries particular weight as Morocco faces mounting pressure on its water resources from successive years of drought. It comes just days after the ministry announced that the dam fill rate had dropped to 67.50% at the start of September 2026.
A Steady Climb Since the 1980s
Official figures show that Morocco's dam-building pace has not let up since the late 1970s, with the number of major water infrastructure projects multiplying more than fivefold in under half a century. The table below shows the evolution of storage capacity and dam count over the years, according to ministry data:
| Year | Storage capacity (billion m³) | Number of dams |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 9.5 | 26 |
| 1985 | 9.8 | 39 |
| 1990 | 10 | 68 |
| 1995 | 11 | 89 |
| 2004 | 16.2 | 115 |
| 2014 | 17.7 | 139 |
| 2020 | 18.6 | 145 |
| 2022 | 19.9 | 152 |
| 2024 | 20 | 154 |
| 2025 | 20.8 | 156 |
Why It Matters
This network of dams gives Morocco more room to maneuver in managing its water resources, whether for drinking water, irrigation, or electricity generation, at a time when climate change makes storing water during rainy seasons a strategic necessity against successive dry years. The ministry had already reported that the dam fill rate fell to 67.50% at the start of September 2026, underscoring the importance of continuing to expand storage capacity to offset irregular rainfall.
The government plans to continue this trajectory by building 42 additional large dams by 2050, alongside projects to raise the height of existing dams, including the Mohammed V, Mokhtar Soussi, and Sakia El Hamra dams, as part of a national plan to strengthen the Kingdom's long-term water security.