The project is part of efforts to upgrade water infrastructure in Morocco’s southern provinces, following the collapse of the original dam during the floods that hit the area in 2016. The disaster underscored the need to strengthen water facilities and reduce the risks posed by increasingly variable weather conditions.
Abdelghani Sibus, secretary-general of the Sakia El Hamra and Oued Eddahab Hydraulic Basin Agency, told Le360 that rebuilding the dam is a strategic project for the region. It will help improve water resource management and strengthen infrastructure for storing water and controlling its flow.
The dam has a storage capacity of around 112 million cubic meters and a total cost of approximately 650 million dirhams. It is one of the region’s major water projects, designed to improve its ability to cope with water stress and periods of heavy rainfall.
On the environmental front, Sibus said the project is expected to regulate surface runoff and reduce flood risks. It will also help replenish groundwater in the Foum El Oued area, supporting local ecosystems and helping preserve plant and animal life.
Sakia El Hamra Dam reconstruction nears completion at 99%.
The region’s natural conditions make the dam especially important for water management. Its desert climate, scarce rainfall and limited vegetation leave the area vulnerable to climatic fluctuations, making water infrastructure essential to mitigating their effects.
The project also supports wider efforts to strengthen water security and address drought and irregular rainfall. By collecting and storing water during rainy periods and controlling its flow, the dam will help limit water losses and ensure supplies are used according to the region’s needs.
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The dam’s location adds to its importance. It lies north of Laayoune, near the Sakia El Hamra bridge on National Road 1, which connects Tiznit and Dakhla. The site is also linked to the Sakia El Hamra River, which runs toward Foum El Oued before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
With construction nearly complete and early operations already underway, the Sakia El Hamra Dam is set to play an important role in improving water management in Laayoune and its surroundings, reducing flood risks and helping the southern provinces adapt to climate challenges.
