Recent widespread rainfall in Morocco has raised hopes of an improvement in dam reserves, potentially reviving an agricultural season that has struggled to take off for the eighth year in a row.
Following the rains, total water reserves in Moroccan dams stabilized at 5.2 billion cubic meters, or 31.06% of capacity. That marks a 1.76% rise from a year earlier.
Since November 10, the rains have brought about 27 million cubic meters, which represents only a 0.26% increase in the total stock.
After the latest rains, several Moroccan cities saw record 24-hour totals (on Thursday, November 13): 25 mm in Tanger, 32 mm in Benslimane, 31 mm in Rabat. Yet this surge has not translated into a meaningful boost for dam reserves.
Cumulative rainfall between September 29 and November 19 has been heavier along the coasts than inland. Casablanca has already received more than 50 mm, while Marrakech has logged 6.3 mm. Several mountain regions have also seen their first snowfalls.
Evolution of water reserves by hydrological basin
Since November 10, 2025, dam reserves by basin show that the Tensift and Souss-Massa have driven most of the gains in water stocks.
In less than 20 days, filling rates rose from 36.6% to 43.6% in Tensift and from 16.1% to 19.33% in Souss‑Massa.
The Sebou basin posted the biggest decline, with reserves down about 5 million cubic meters between November 10 and 17. Yet given its vast capacity, the drop is marginal, only 0.1% of the filling rate.
To gauge the impact of recent rainfall, we compared changes in the main dams with last year and with October levels.
Evolution of dam reserves
Although the impact has yet to fully materialize, the rains ended a steady decline in dam stocks seen since August.
Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam (near Rabat)
With a capacity of 974 million cubic meters, the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam, now connected to the Sebou basin, has risen from 35% to 63%. Over the past ten days, however, reserves dropped by 28 million cubic meters. The dam supplies Rabat, Casablanca, and nearby regions.
Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam – Evolution from Oct. 3 to Nov. 19, 2025
Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Dam – Evolution from Nov. 18, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Al Wahda Dam
Al Wahda, Morocco’s largest reservoir, saw resources fall 3% year‑on‑year. In the past ten days, the dam lost 8 million cubic meters.
Al Wahda Dam – Evolution from Nov. 18, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Al Wahda Dam – Evolution from Oct. 4 to Nov. 19, 2025
Idriss I Dam
Near Fes, the Idriss I Dam, with a capacity of 1.13 billion cubic meters, rose from 26% to 33% year‑on‑year. Resources have remained stable over the past ten days.
Idriss I Dam – Evolution from Oct. 2 to Nov. 19, 2025
Idriss I Dam – Evolution from Nov. 22, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Bin el Ouidane Dam
Located in an agricultural region and a driver of national tourism, the Bin el Ouidane Dam has been hit hard by years of drought.
Compared with last year, reserves have edged up from 5.8% to 14%, though still below usual levels. In the past ten days, the dam shed 300,000 cubic meters.
Bin El Ouidane Dam – Evolution from Oct. 2 to Nov. 15, 2025
Bin El Ouidane Dam – Evolution from Nov. 18, 2024 to Nov. 15, 2025
Ahmed El Hansali Dam
Upstream of Al Massira, the Ahmed El Hansali Dam, with a capacity of 668 million cubic meters, remains in critical condition.
In the past ten days, it lost 1% of its volume, or 7 million cubic meters.
Al Massira’s situation is even more alarming, with reserves still below 2% of capacity.
Ahmed El Hansali Dam – Evolution from Nov. 22, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Ahmed El Hansali Dam – Evolution from Oct. 3 to Nov. 19, 2025
Mohammed V Dam
As the region’s largest dam, Mohammed V has seen its reserves plunge from about 60% to 18% year‑on‑year. In the past ten days, it lost roughly 2 million cubic meters.
Mohammed V Dam – Evolution from Oct. 3 to Nov. 19, 2025
Mohammed V Dam – Evolution from Nov. 20, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Southeast Dams
In the Southeast, dams such as Hassan Addakhil and Kaddoussa have benefited from more favorable weather than other regions. Still, in the past ten days, the two shed about 1 million cubic meters.
Kaddoussa Dam
Kaddoussa Dam – Evolution from Nov. 21, 2024 to Nov. 19, 2025
Hassan Addakhil Dam
Hassan Addakhil Dam – Evolution from Nov. 21, 2024 to Nov. 17, 2025
