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Rabat – The Ratba Dam project in Morocco’s Taounate province, launched in 2022 with a major investment of MAD 4 billion ($400 million), is currently progressing amid efforts to complete it on schedule.
Set to become the second-largest dam in Morocco by volume and a major reservoir in the Sebou hydraulic basin, it will surpass one billion cubic meters in storage capacity, with annual inflows projected at 351 million cubic meters.
According to Ministry of Equipment and Water officials, the dam is expected to be filled by late 2028 to capture floodwaters from the 2028/2029 rainy season.
Due to proactive management and efforts to expedite the project, it is anticipated that the dam will be completed a year ahead of the initially projected timeline.
As an integral part of Morocco’s National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation (PNAEPI) 2020-2027, the Ratba Dam project is advancing with 26% of its construction completed.
This initiative is crucial for securing the country’s water resources and ensuring a reliable supply for both drinking and irrigation needs.
Its primary goal is to ensure a steady supply of drinking water for the entire population while also meeting irrigation needs.
Progress on Morocco’s Ratba Dam Project
In a statement to MAP, Mouhcine Bahtat, head of the Ratba Dam project for the Ministry of Equipment and Water, noted that construction is moving forward despite technical challenges.
He mentioned that the construction site installations are complete, and the earthworks and supporting structures are nearly 90% finished.
Bahtat also tackled the temporary diversion of the Oued Aoulay river, essential for protecting the construction site from rare floods, is 95% complete, involving the excavation of 650,000 cubic meters of material, the pouring of 110,000 cubic meters of concrete for three culverts, and the use of 700,000 cubic meters of fill for the upstream cofferdam.
Bahtat told MAP that embankment work on the dam itself began before the river diversion was fully completed, allowing approximately 10% of the dam’s structure to be established.
The project is on track, with the river diversion phase expected to be finished by the end of September 2024.
Regarding ancillary structures, Bahtat reported that the flood spillway is 25% complete, the bottom outlet works have progressed to 2.5%, and the final access to the dam is about 70% finished.
Meanwhile, the project is also expected to positively impact Morocco’s socio-economic status as it has already generated nearly 1.5 million man-days of work during construction.
Once completed, the dam is anticipated to boost the local agricultural economy and potentially foster eco-tourism in the region.
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In a speech marking the 25th anniversary of his reign in July, King Mohammed VI highlighted the urgent issue of water scarcity, emphasizing the growing complexities due to drought, climate change, and increasing demand.
He pointed out that Morocco is at a critical juncture, with six years of drought having significantly affected water reserves and groundwater, especially in rural regions.
The King focused on the importance of the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027, which has helped address some water challenges. He urged for ongoing updates to national water policy to ensure all citizens have access to drinking water and that at least 80% of irrigation needs are fulfilled.
