Morocco loses 50 million cubic meters of water annually due to dam siltation, Minister warns

The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, stated on Tuesday in the Chamber of Advisors that dam siltation leads to an annual loss of 50 million cubic meters of storage capacity.

Responding to an oral question on the matter, Baraka emphasized that his department pays particular attention to the issue, which he described as a growing concern.

He explained that studies have been conducted to assess the loss of reservoir capacity caused by sediment buildup. Based on these findings, several preventive measures have been adopted, including the signing of an agreement with the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) to step up reforestation efforts aimed at reducing siltation.

Baraka added that the issue of siltation is now considered during the design phase of new dams, with a dedicated volume reserved for sediment accumulation over a minimum operational period of 50 years. This forward-looking approach aims to improve the cost-effectiveness of building hydraulic infrastructure.

In response to repeated droughts, a sediment removal program has been launched for some smaller dams. However, the minister noted that the cost of this operation remains high—up to 70 dirhams per cubic meter.

Given these challenges, Baraka highlighted the need to explore alternative solutions, such as raising the height of certain large dams to increase their storage capacities and better address the siltation problem.