Lalla Takerkoust
Oldest operational dam in Morocco (1935), a sacred site turned tourist destination near Marrakech.
55 m
Height
53.3
Capacity (Mm³)
80%
Fill Rate
3
Hydroelectric (MW)
1935
Built In
About This Dam
Built between 1929 and 1935 by the French on the N'fis River, Lalla Takerkoust is the oldest major dam still in service in Morocco. Located 40 km south of Marrakech at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, it is named after a local female saint whose shrine and mosque stood on the site. This 55 m gravity dam creates a 5,000-hectare, 7 km-long lake that has become a popular tourist destination for kayaking, paddleboarding and hiking. It irrigates the Haouz plain and provides vital water to the Marrakech region.
Historical Fill Rates
Key Specifications
- Location: Marrakech-Safi · Nearest City: Marrakech
- River: N'fis · Basin: Tensift
- Type: Gravity Dam · Height: 55 m
- Capacity: 53.3 Mm³ · Built In: 1935
- Hydroelectric: 3 MW
- Builder: Société des Grands Travaux de Marseille
- Coordinates: 31.3550°N, 8.1360°W
Purpose
Irrigation
Provides water for agricultural irrigation
Hydroelectric
Generates renewable hydroelectric power
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of Lalla Takerkoust Dam?
Lalla Takerkoust Dam has a total storage capacity of 53.3 million cubic meters (Mm³) and a height of 55 meters. It ranks among Morocco's strategic reservoirs and plays a key role in regional water security.
Where is Lalla Takerkoust Dam located?
Lalla Takerkoust Dam is located in the tensift river basin in Morocco. It is part of the national network of large dams managed by Morocco's hydraulic authorities.
When was Lalla Takerkoust Dam built?
Lalla Takerkoust Dam was commissioned in 1935. 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 Lalla Takerkoust Dam?
As of the latest update, Lalla Takerkoust Dam holds 42.6 Mm³ out of a total capacity of 53.3 Mm³, representing a fill rate of 80%. Levels are updated regularly to track seasonal rainfall and water releases.
What is Lalla Takerkoust Dam used for?
Lalla Takerkoust 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 Lalla Takerkoust Dam?
Lalla Takerkoust Dam is built on the N'fis River. The dam captures the river's flow to store water for drinking, irrigation, and flood control.
Current Level
FullCapacity
43
Mm³
Remaining
10.3
Mm³
Fill Rate
80%
Updated · July 2026
Geography
- Region
- Marrakech-Safi
- Nearest City
- Marrakech· 34 km
- Coordinates
- 31.355, -8.136
Taskourt
Taskourt Dam, also known as Abou El Abbas Essebti, is built on the Assif El Mal River in Chichaoua Province. It regulates 24 Mm3 per year for irrigation of 6,800 hectares in the Mejjat plain and local drinking water supply.
GoodCapacity
24.8
Height
75m
Built In
2013
Sidi M'hamed Ben Slimane Al Jazouli
Sidi M'hamed Ben Slimane Al Jazouli Dam is near Tamanar in Essaouira Province. It provides drinking water to Tamanar and irrigates surrounding agricultural lands.
FullCapacity
15.4
Height
40m
Built In
2006
Yacoub El Mansour
Yacoub El Mansour Dam is in Ouirgane, Al Haouz Province on the Oued N'Fis. It improves regulation of Lalla Takerkoust Dam 20 km downstream and strengthens drinking water supply to Marrakech.
FullCapacity
69.3
Height
70m
Built In
2008