The Mohamed V Dam is an arch-gravity dam

Arch-gravity dam

An arch-gravity dam, curved-gravity dam or arched dam is a dam with the characteristics of both an arch dam and a gravity dam. It is a dam that curves upstream in a narrowing curve that directs most of the water against the canyon rock walls, providing the force to compress the dam...

 located 35 km (22 mi) south of Zaio

Zaio

Zaio is a municipality located in the province of Nador in north-eastern Morocco. On January 1, 2005 Zaio had a total population of 32,000.-Further reading:...

 on the Moulouya River

Moulouya River

The Moulouya River is a 520 km-long river in Morocco. Its sources are located in the Middle Atlas. It empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Saidia, in Northeast Morocco at about . Water level in the river often fluctuates. The river is used for irrigation...

 in Oujda-Angad Province, Morocco. The primary purpose of the dam is supplying water for the irrigation of 70000 ha (172,974 acre) downstream. Water is also used for hydroelectric power production and water supply to the city of Nador

Nador

Nador is a city located in the northeastern Rif region of Morocco. The city is a Mediterranean port on the Bḥar Ameẓẓyan lagoon , and it is the major trading center in the region for fish, fruit, and livestock...

. The dam is named after Mohammed V of Morocco

Mohammed V of Morocco

Mohammed V was Sultan of Morocco from 1927–53, exiled from 1953–55, where he was again recognized as Sultan upon his return, and King from 1957 to 1961. His full name was Sidi Mohammed ben Yusef, or Son of Yusef, upon whose death he succeeded to the throne...

. The dam's reservoir and wetlands were designated as a Ramsar site in 2005.