Moulay Youssef
Pioneering 100 m dam on the Tessaout River, an engineering reference for foundation treatment.
100 m
Height
142.8
Capacity (Mm³)
81%
Fill Rate
24
Hydroelectric (MW)
1970
Built In
About This Dam
Completed in 1970, Moulay Youssef Dam is a 100 m embankment dam on the Tessaout River, a tributary of the Oum Er-Rbia. It is internationally recognized as a civil engineering case study for its innovative 'wait-and-see' foundation treatment approach, reducing costs while maintaining safety through piezometers, drains and a control tunnel. Its power station produces 24 MW of hydroelectric energy. It irrigates agricultural lands of the Tessaout valley, part of the broader Haouz-Tadla irrigation system.
Historical Fill Rates
Key Specifications
- Location: Marrakech-Safi · Nearest City: El Kelaa des Sraghna
- River: Tessaout · Basin: Oum Er-Rbia
- Type: Embankment Dam · Height: 100 m
- Capacity: 142.8 Mm³ · Built In: 1970
- Hydroelectric: 24 MW
- Coordinates: 31.6470°N, 7.2610°W
Purpose
Irrigation
Provides water for agricultural irrigation
Hydroelectric
Generates renewable hydroelectric power
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of Moulay Youssef Dam?
Moulay Youssef Dam has a total storage capacity of 142.8 million cubic meters (Mm³) and a height of 100 meters. It ranks among Morocco's strategic reservoirs and plays a key role in regional water security.
Where is Moulay Youssef Dam located?
Moulay Youssef 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 Moulay Youssef Dam built?
Moulay Youssef Dam was commissioned in 1970. 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 Moulay Youssef Dam?
As of the latest update, Moulay Youssef Dam holds 115.7 Mm³ out of a total capacity of 142.8 Mm³, representing a fill rate of 81%. Levels are updated regularly to track seasonal rainfall and water releases.
What is Moulay Youssef Dam used for?
Moulay Youssef 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 Moulay Youssef Dam?
Moulay Youssef Dam is built on the Tessaout River. The dam captures the river's flow to store water for drinking, irrigation, and flood control.
Current Level
FullCapacity
116
Mm³
Remaining
26.8
Mm³
Fill Rate
81%
Updated · July 2026
Geography
- Region
- Marrakech-Safi
- Nearest City
- El Kelaa des Sraghna· 47 km
- Coordinates
- 31.647, -7.261
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