Algeria’s Jorf Torba dam reaches 100% capacity
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maghreb Emergent
Illustrative image · Wolfgang Weiser · Pexels · Licence PexelsAlgeria’s Jorf Torba dam, in Béchar wilaya, has reached 100% capacity after recent rainfall. Its reserves, with a theoretical capacity of 365 million cubic metres but reduced by siltation, are expected to support irrigation in the Saoura basin and Abadla plain, the National Agency for Dams and Transfers said.
The Jorf Torba dam in Béchar wilaya has reached 100% capacity, the National Agency for Dams and Transfers (ANBT) said. The reserves are expected to support irrigation of farmland in the Saoura basin and the Abadla plain.
Recent rainfall in the western High Plateaux and the mountainous areas of western and south-western Algeria replenished the reservoir. The dam has a theoretical capacity of 365 million cubic metres, but its effective volume is reduced by siltation, according to Maghreb Emergent.
The surplus water is being discharged downstream and feeds flows in the Oued Guir, which joins the Oued Zouzfana to form the Oued Saoura. During the previous time it reached full capacity, in September 2024, the stored volume exceeded 247 million cubic metres and the gates were opened to release the excess.
This comes after several spells of rain monitored in October, including an orange alert in several wilayas of the Sahara on 15 October and forecasts of up to 40 millimetres of rain in western Algeria on 19 October.
