Yacoub el Mansour Dam
The Yacoub el Mansour Dam is a BCR dam located at Ouirgane on the N'fis River in Al Haouz Province, Morocco. Completed in 2008, the dam is intended to improve the supply of drinking and industrial water to the Marrakech area.
History
The Takerkoust Dam on the N'Fis river downstream of Ouirgane had provided water to the alluvial plain in the Marrakech area since 1935. Owing to sedimentation, its capacity had been reduced by 20%. To alleviate this problem, it was decided to build a dam at Ouirgane to reduce silt load in the river especially during floods. The Yacoub el Mansour dam was commissioned in 2008. Subsequently, a study in 2009 found that the siltation rate in the Takerkoust reservoir had reduced.
Description
The Yacoub el Mansour Dam is a bulked concrete rubble dam located in the rural commune of Ouirgane at an elevation of. It blocks the N'fis river. The height of the dam is and its crest length is. The dam has a spillway, a bottom outlet, four stepped water intakes and a neck dyke on the right bank. Construction required excavation of earth and pouring of of concrete.
Reservoir
The Yacoub el Mansour Reservoir, also known as the Ouirgane Reservoir, has a capacity of. It is designed to increase the water supply to the Marrakech area from per year. The rural commune of Ouirgane is situated on the east bank of the reservoir. The reservoir is a scenic backdrop to Ouirgane. There are hiking trails around the reservoir. It provides opportunities for picnics and fishing.