Morocco’s water reserves jumped sharply to 41.5% in the first days of 2026, buoyed by heavy rainfall, official data showed.
The combined storage at the country’s main dams rose from 6.58 billion cubic meters on Dec. 31 to 7.12 billion cubic meters on Jan. 5, an increase of 540 million cubic meters in just five days.
The surge reflected significant inflows in the Sebou, Oum Er-Rbia and Loukkos basins. The Al Wahda dam, Morocco’s largest, added more than 130 million cubic meters, lifting its level to 54%, while Ahmed El Hanssali dam rose seven points to 34%.
Northern reservoirs such as Sidi Med Ben Abdellah and Oued El Makhazine are near capacity at 98%, securing drinking water and irrigation for the region.
But several strategic dams remain critically low. Al Massira, vital for Casablanca’s water supply and central agriculture, is stuck at around 5%. Bin El Ouidane and Hassan II posted only marginal gains, at 18% and 16% respectively, prolonging pressure on hydroelectric output and farming.
Authorities warn that despite the short-term relief, structural imbalances persist. Morocco’s water strategy hinges on diversifying sources through desalination, wastewater reuse and inter-basin transfers. Officials say sustaining the improvement will depend on rainfall in coming weeks, as prolonged drought could quickly erase early gains.
