Bin El Ouidane
Tallest dam in Morocco (133 m), an arch engineering masterpiece and major tourist site in the Atlas Mountains.
133 m
Height
1,215.5
Capacity (Mm³)
89%
Fill Rate
135
Hydroelectric (MW)
1953
Built In
About This Dam
Designed by French engineer André Coyne and built between 1949 and 1953, Bin El Ouidane is a 133 m high, 285 m long double-curvature arch dam on the El-Abid River in Azilal Province — the tallest in Morocco. Its 135 MW power station produces 287 GWh annually. It irrigates 69,500 hectares in the Beni Moussa and Tadla plains, supporting roughly 17% of national GDP through the Oum Er-Rbia basin agriculture. Its turquoise lake in the Atlas Mountains is a popular tourist destination for water sports and fishing, near the Ouzoud Waterfalls.
Africa's tallest arch dam (133 m), designed by André Coyne
Historical Fill Rates
Key Specifications
- Location: Béni Mellal-Khénifra · Nearest City: Azilal
- River: El-Abid · Basin: Oum Er-Rbia
- Type: Arch Dam · Height: 133 m
- Capacity: 1,215.5 Mm³ · Built In: 1953
- Hydroelectric: 135 MW
- Builder: SGE / Fougerolle (ECBO)
- Coordinates: 32.1060°N, 6.4630°W
Purpose
Hydroelectric
Generates renewable hydroelectric power
Irrigation
Provides water for agricultural irrigation
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of Bin El Ouidane Dam?
Bin El Ouidane Dam has a total storage capacity of 1,215.5 million cubic meters (Mm³) and a height of 133 meters. It ranks among Morocco's strategic reservoirs and plays a key role in regional water security.
Where is Bin El Ouidane Dam located?
Bin El Ouidane Dam is located in the oum-er-rbia river basin in Morocco. It is part of the national network of large dams managed by Morocco's hydraulic authorities.
When was Bin El Ouidane Dam built?
Bin El Ouidane Dam was commissioned in 1953. It forms part of Morocco's ongoing national dam-building program, which has expanded significantly since the 1960s.
What is the current water level at Bin El Ouidane Dam?
As of the latest update, Bin El Ouidane Dam holds 1,081.8 Mm³ out of a total capacity of 1,215.5 Mm³, representing a fill rate of 89%. Levels are updated regularly to track seasonal rainfall and water releases.
What is Bin El Ouidane Dam used for?
Bin El Ouidane Dam serves several purposes: supplying drinking water to nearby cities, irrigating agricultural land, regulating floods to protect downstream areas, and supporting regional water management.
Which river feeds Bin El Ouidane Dam?
Bin El Ouidane Dam is built on the El-Abid River. The dam captures the river's flow to store water for drinking, irrigation, and flood control.
Current Level
FullCapacity
1,082
Mm³
Remaining
133.5
Mm³
Fill Rate
89%
Updated · July 2026
Geography
- Region
- Béni Mellal-Khénifra
- Nearest City
- Azilal· 19 km
- Coordinates
- 32.106, -6.463
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