From 19 February to 20 March 2026, throughout the month of Ramadan, Living Planet Morocco and local stakeholders carried out a series of urgent field interventions at Dayet Aoua with support from the MENAWET regional initiative.
.
The operation was launched following exceptional rainfall and favourable hydrological conditions observed within the lake basin. Its purpose was to seize this temporary climatic opportunity by restoring the natural and historical pathways that carry surface water towards the lake, particularly the deeper natural area known as Zone Z1, considered the functional heart of the wetland. The works included the cleaning and light dredging of rainwater collection channels, the removal of sediments, solid waste and obstructing vegetation, and the reopening of secondary springs historically connected to the lake. The main seguia linking Oued Tigzert to Dayet Aoua was also cleared to improve its capacity to carry available water towards the lake basin. Targeted, reversible measures were used to reduce water losses and limit the dispersion of flows before they reached Zone Z1.
.
Implemented through local coordination and continuous field monitoring, the campaign favoured rapid, low-impact solutions rather than heavy construction. Photographs, videos and regular observations were used to document the response of the hydrological system and guide adjustments during the works. These urgent interventions do not replace the larger structural restoration projects planned for Dayet Aoua. They represent a transitional step designed to reactivate the lake’s hydrological functioning, make the best possible use of available rainfall and prepare the ground for longer-term ecological restoration.
.
