Al Wahda Dam (Morocco)

Al Wahda Dam, formerly known as M'Jaara Dam, is an embankment dam on the Ouergha River near M´Jaara in Ouezzane Province, Morocco. It was constructed for flood control, irrigation, water supply and hydroelectric power production. It is the second largest dam in north Africa and the largest in Morocco. It was described by Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) as "the second most important dam in Africa after the High Aswan dam."

Background

In 1988, the Board of Water and Climate considered the dam and eventually it was recommended for development. Construction began in 1991, the dam began to create its reservoir in 1996 and was inaugurated on March 20, 1997, by King Hassan II. A total of of material were excavated during construction. ==Specifications==

Specifications

The dam is an earthen embankment type made of of material and of concrete. It is tall at its highest point and the main portion of the dam is long. Directly to the north and adjacent to the spillway is a saddle dam that is long and high. The dam's spillway, in its center is controlled by six floodgates and has a discharge capacity in excess of . ==Power plant==

Power plant

The power plant, at the dam's toe and adjacent to the spillway is supplied with water via a diameter and long pipe which in turn transfers the water into three penstocks. Each of which is in diameter in length. This scheme provides of hydraulic head and up to to the Francis turbines. ==Impacts==

Impacts

The dam has had a positive impact downstream by supplying water for drinking and irrigation. In addition, it has helped reduce floods in the Gharb region along the Ouergha and Sebou Rivers by 90%. It provides water for the potential irrigation of over . ==See also==

Source: Wikipedia ↗

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