Located about 40 kilometers from the rural commune of Beni Tadjite, the dam is entering the final phase of construction. Some work remains before it can begin operating, according to Moulay El Hassan Faiq, the project manager at the Ministry of Equipment and Water’s Directorate of Hydraulic Engineering.
“Construction is currently 91% complete,” Faiq said.
The remaining work includes placing 10,000 cubic meters of roller-compacted concrete on the right bank at the dam crest, completing electromechanical equipment downstream and finishing work on the bottom outlet.
Built at the confluence of the Grou River and four tributaries, the dam is made of roller-compacted concrete. It stands approximately 79 meters above its foundations and measures 190 meters along the crest. Its reservoir can hold 1.07 billion cubic meters of water, placing it fifth nationally in storage capacity. The project’s total cost is estimated at 1.2 billion dirhams.
The dam is included in the 2020-2027 National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation, launched by King Mohammed VI. It is designed to strengthen water security in the region by collecting rainfall and floodwaters, building up reserves and helping meet local needs during periods of drought.
Expanding irrigation capacity
The project is expected to significantly increase the water available for agriculture downstream. The irrigated area will grow from 413 hectares to 4,300 hectares, Faiq said.
Annual water allocations for agricultural use are also expected to rise from 5 million to 30 million cubic meters.
Inside the Kheng Grou Dam construction site, Morocco’s fifth-largest dam, on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Construction is 91% complete.
The dam should also help secure drinking water supplies for downstream communities with a combined population of around 7,500. It is also expected to contribute to groundwater recharge, helping preserve water resources in this part of Figuig province.
Local infrastructure and jobs
The project is expected to bring benefits beyond water storage. A road linking Beni Tadjite to the dam, built as part of the construction project, should improve access for local residents and make travel easier. The new infrastructure could also support economic and tourism activities in the area and create job opportunities.
According to project officials, construction has already generated nearly 400,000 workdays. The project has employed local workers and helped develop their skills in public works, particularly dam construction.
With a storage capacity of 1.07 billion cubic meters and an investment of 1.2 billion dirhams, the Kheng Grou Dam is a major water infrastructure project for Figuig province. Its planned opening at the end of December 2026 is expected to support irrigation, drinking water supplies and the region’s ability to withstand drought.
