Morocco is home to several important rivers that support its agriculture, water supply, and ecosystems — especially in a country where much of the land is arid or semi-arid. Most rivers in Morocco originate in the Atlas Mountains and flow either west to the Atlantic Ocean or southeast toward the Sahara Desert.
Major Rivers in Morocco
1. Oum Er-Rbia River
- Length: ~555 km
- Meaning: “Mother of Spring”
- Second longest river in Morocco
- Source: Middle Atlas Mountains
- Mouth: Atlantic Ocean near Azemmour
- Known for many springs and dams (like Bin el Ouidane Dam)
2. Sebou River
- Length: ~614 km
- One of the most important rivers for agriculture
- Source: Middle Atlas
- Mouth: Atlantic Ocean near Kenitra
- Supports irrigation in the Gharb plain, a major farming region
3. Draa River
- Length: ~1,100 km (longest in Morocco)
- Origin: High Atlas Mountains
- Flows southeast into the desert, often dry in lower sections
- Historically important for oases and ancient trade routes
- Passes through Zagora, M’Hamid regions
4. Moulouya River
- Length: ~520 km
- Source: Middle Atlas Mountains
- Mouth: Mediterranean Sea near Saïdia
- Used for irrigation and hydroelectric power
- Important for eastern Morocco agriculture
5. Tensift River
- Length: ~270 km
- Source: High Atlas Mountains
- Flows past: Marrakech
- Usually dry in summer but important in the rainy season
6. Bou Regreg River
- Length: ~240 km
- Separates: Rabat and Salé (capital cities)
- Flows into the Atlantic Ocean
- Site of major urban development and tourism projects
7. Ziz River
- Flows through: Errachidia and Erfoud
- Supports oases in the Tafilalt region
- Eventually dries in the desert
- Source of date palm irrigation
8. Ourika River
- Located in: High Atlas Mountains, near Marrakech
- Short river but popular for tourism and natural beauty
- Known for its waterfalls and Ourika Valley day trips
Quick Overview Table
| River | Length (km) | Flows Into | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draa | 1,100 | Sahara (partly) | Southeast Morocco |
| Sebou | 614 | Atlantic Ocean | Northern/Central |
| Oum Er-Rbia | 555 | Atlantic Ocean | Central Morocco |
| Moulouya | 520 | Mediterranean Sea | Eastern Morocco |
| Bou Regreg | 240 | Atlantic Ocean | Rabat–Salé |
| Tensift | 270 | Atlantic Ocean | Marrakech region |
| Ziz | ~282 | Desert/Oases | Tafilalt, Southeast |
| Ourika | ~70 | Tributary stream | Near Marrakech |
