The strategic Ait Ziyat Dam project, recognized as the largest of its kind in the region, is a pivotal initiative aimed at implementing the royal directives that seek to enhance water infrastructure and resource management. This project plays a crucial role in fostering economic, social, and agricultural development within the area, positioning itself as a fundamental pillar of progress.
According to the dam management, the construction work on this monumental project has reached an impressive 99% completion. This significant advancement can be attributed to the intensive efforts of regional authorities, which have successfully navigated various challenges associated with the project and accelerated the pace of work. As a result, the timeline for the completion of the dam has been reduced by more than 20 months, marking a notable achievement.
The Ait Ziyat Dam is designed as an earth-fill dam, standing at a height of 71 meters above its foundation, and it covers an area of approximately 992 hectares. Its watershed spans an estimated 521.7 square kilometers, with a storage capacity of roughly 186 million cubic meters. The total cost of the project exceeds 1.9 billion dirhams, underscoring its magnitude and significance in the realm of large-scale water investments in the region.
Said Ouzmo, the head of the Ait Ziyat Dam project, emphasized that this water infrastructure project falls under the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program for 2020-2027. This program is designed to ensure the sustainability of water resources and enhance water security. In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, he noted that with its substantial storage capacity, the dam will provide the city of Marrakech with approximately 30 million cubic meters of potable water annually. Additionally, it will facilitate irrigation for significant agricultural areas downstream, with an annual volume ranging between 40 and 78 million cubic meters. The project will also contribute to protecting the communities located downstream of the Zat River from flooding risks. Water storage in the dam commenced on February 24, 2026, with around 13 million cubic meters stored to date, representing approximately 7% of the dam's total capacity.
In parallel with the construction efforts, the dam management has implemented a series of accompanying measures through effective coordination among various stakeholders. The completion of the project has generated approximately 450,000 workdays for the local workforce. Furthermore, these efforts have included the development of essential infrastructure, such as building 13 kilometers of roadways for nine localities, constructing four schools, a health center, and four mosques, as well as connecting public buildings and new residences near the dam to the electrical grid, and drilling wells in the Ait Faska community to enhance drinking water supply.
Beyond improving water availability at both regional and local levels, the Ait Ziyat Dam is expected to bolster agricultural activities by enhancing irrigation systems and optimizing agricultural land use. This will stimulate local development dynamics by reducing isolation in several rural areas and enhancing the attractiveness of eco-tourism. Environmentally, the dam will contribute to maintaining natural balances and mitigating the effects of drought and climate fluctuations, aligning with national efforts in water stress management.
Upon its commissioning, the Ait Ziyat Dam is poised to serve as a fundamental asset in strengthening water security and achieving balanced and sustainable development in the Al Haouz region, and more broadly in the Marrakech-Safi region.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
