DR ‹ › The Mohammed V Dam in Morocco's Oriental region recorded an impressive fill rate of 86% as of February 6, following recent rainfall that has strengthened water security and raised hopes for a favorable agricultural season. According to official figures, water reserves at the dam reached 141.09 million cubic meters, out of a total capacity of 164.95 million cubic meters. Mostafa Bouazza, Secretary-General of the Moulouya Basin Hydraulic Agency (ABH), said the rainfall has also had a positive impact on other major dams in the basin. Overall, the fill rate in the lower Moulouya basin, including the Mohammed V Dam, now stands at 76%, representing approximately 300.92 million cubic meters of stored water. The Oued Za Dam recorded a fill rate of 69%, with reserves of 156.75 million cubic meters, while the Machraa Hammadi Dam reached 66%, holding around 3.07 million cubic meters, Bouazza added. Speaking to the Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), Abderrahmane Adli, head of the Mohammed V Dam, said water levels have risen sharply in recent weeks, increasing from just 25.4 million cubic meters, around 15% of capacity, last December to more than 141 million cubic meters today. He noted that the Machraa Hammadi Dam serves as the main water source for the irrigation canal supplying the provinces of Berkane and Nador. He also confirmed that elevation works on the Mohammed V Dam, which has been in operation since 1967, are continuing as part of efforts to boost its storage capacity. Lahoucine Baahmed, project manager for the elevation works, said the project is progressing steadily, with completion currently at 69%. He explained that the strategic project, carried out by Moroccan experts, is designed in part to address long-standing siltation issues. Once completed, the elevation, raising the dam by 12 meters, will increase its storage capacity to nearly one billion cubic meters, compared with its current capacity of 165 million cubic meters.
