The announcement that the Oued El Makhazine Dam has reached a fill rate of 146 percent has raised widespread public questions, particularly as it coincided with heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Loukkos River. The situation has sparked concerns about dam safety and flood risks. To clarify the technical meaning of this figure, explain how the situation is being managed, and outline the preventive measures in place, we spoke with Yassine Wahbi, Head of Assessment and Water Resources Planning at the Loukkos Basin Agency. DR ‹ › What Does It Mean for the Filling Rate of the Oued El Makhazine dam to Reach 146 Percent? How Was This Level Achieved? A dam is considered completely full at 100 percent. The 146 percent figure, however, is a technical indicator used by professionals to calculate total water inflows and volumes occupying areas reserved for discharge. Between September 1, 2025, and February 4, 2026, the Oued El Makhazine dam recorded exceptionally high inflows totaling 972.9 million cubic meters. Of this amount, 716.8 million cubic meters, or 73.68 percent, were recorded in just the last two weeks. These inflows exceeded the annual average by 184 percent, pushing total stored water to 988 million cubic meters as of February 4, 2026. This corresponds to a filling rate of 146.85 percent, given that the dam's normal reservoir capacity does not exceed 672.9 million cubic meters. How Are Water Volumes Exceeding Normal Reservoir Capacity Managed? When Did Discharge Operations Begin? When storage exceeds the dam's normal reservoir capacity, the additional volumes are classified as temporary storage. These excess volumes are automatically discharged through the spillway, a standard safety mechanism used in all dams and currently in operation at the Oued El Makhazine dam. Emergency outlets were proactively opened in January, immediately after warning bulletins were issued regarding expected heavy rainfall. This allowed the dam to safely absorb inflows that far exceeded forecasts, particularly as the region had not experienced comparable water volumes since 2010. The excess water released during these operations is also used for hydropower generation, through what is known as «exceptional hydropower discharge». What Is the Dam's Safety Status? Has Any Technical Malfunction Been Recorded? The dam's condition is continuously monitored by a dedicated vigilance committee operating within the responsible agency. To date, no malfunctions have been recorded, either in terms of technical systems or structural stability. All mechanisms are functioning normally, and discharge operations are being carried out in full compliance with established safety standards. Specialized departments maintain permanent monitoring protocols. Under normal conditions, inspections are conducted daily. In exceptional situations such as this one, monitoring is intensified several times a day, combining visual and technical inspections to detect any abnormal indicators that could threaten the structure. Authorities confirm that there is no cause for concern and that the situation remains fully under control. What Role Did the Dam Play in Reducing Flood Risks? How Was the Situation Managed on the Ground? In January alone, the Oued El Makhazine dam recorded inflows totaling 845 million cubic meters, including 524 million cubic meters in just one week. These figures confirm that the dam was designed to handle a wide range of scenarios, including extreme events, based on the «10,000-year flood» model, the most severe natural scenario statistically expected to occur once every 10,000 years. The dam operates with two discharge levels. The first allows for the release of 315 cubic meters per second, while reaching the second level automatically increases discharge capacity. During the peak of the recent episode, incoming flows exceeded 2,000 cubic meters per second, while outflows from the dam did not exceed 600 cubic meters per second. Without the dam, these volumes would have flowed directly into the Loukkos River, reaching the city of Ksar El Kebir and the Loukkos plain, with potentially severe consequences. To prevent this scenario, authorities activated regional and national vigilance cells, alongside a local vigilance cell in Ksar El Kebir, given its position along the Loukkos River. A preventive and precautionary approach was adopted to protect lives and property. Thanks to coordinated action among all relevant authorities, the situation was effectively contained without any human casualties.
