Despite its size, which measures 65 kilometers in length and 45 kilometers in width, our island is made up of twelve reservoirs that are utilized for domestic and irrigation reasons. The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities is in charge of providing management for the water supply. It is the mission of this ministry to safeguard not only the water resources but also the distribution and management of those resources respectively. All the existing reservoirs, as well as their history, will be discussed in this article, which will be of assistance in terms of comprehensive information.
Where Does our water originate from?
Interestingly, the majority of our water supply for home purposes comes from ground resources. In total, there are around 185 boreholes that are active, the majority of which are used for residential purposes. Approximately 47% is the most current statistic. Rivers and reservoirs are the sources of the remaining portion of our water supply.
List Of Reservoirs In Mauritius
As was stated previously, our island is home to twelve reservoirs that are currently operating. The following are: Mare Aux Vacoas, Midlands Dam, Bagatelle Dam, La Ferme, Mare Longue, Piton Du Milieu, Valetta, Champagne (Diamamouve), La Nicolière, Tamarind Falls, Eau Bleue, and Dagotière. Each of these will be covered in more detail below.
Mare Aux Vacoas
It is the first reservoir constructed inland, and also the largest. The site was formerly owned by Mare Aux Vacoas sugar estates. A sugar mill existed at that initial location. In the early 1880s, the land was sold to the British government for the construction of the reservoir. Prior to the construction of the reservoir, the area was already marshy, and a lake was present. The dam was completed in 1885, elevated in 1892 to enhance its capacity, and then raised again in 1915. Mare Aux Vacoas is supplied by Rivière Du Poste and predominantly by the Tatamaka Feeder Canal. Additional canals supplying the reservoir are Parc Aux Cerfs and Radier. Next to the reservoir is another dam, known as Arnaud, which collects a substantial volume of water for diversion. The reservoir has an area of 5.60 km2 and possesses a capacity of approximately 28 mm3. The water is for domestic purpose.
Midlands Dam
Are you aware that the reservoir was constructed from the late 1920s to the early 1930s? Nevertheless, it was subsequently suspended. The project was revitalized in 2002. The Midlands Dam was constructed to provide water to the Northern regions, and to serve as a feeder to La Nicolière. The water serves both residential and agricultural functions. It possesses a capacity of approximately 25 mm2 and encompasses an area of 3 km2. The Midlands Dam features a nearby nature trail. The reservoir attracts numerous fishing enthusiasts. The Midlands sugar mill was a proximity; the chimney remains intact, lost in the sugarcane fields.
Bagatelle Dam
The Bagatelle Dam, inaugurated in 2017, is supplied by the Terre Rouge and Cascade Rivière. It possesses a capacity of approximately 14.7 mm3. The site was formerly the Bagatelle sugar estates. The Bagatelle sugar mill, which was destroyed in 1948, was nearby. The chimney remains visible on an adjacent private property. Surrounding old sugar mills’ chimneys are Côte D’or and Minissy. The Minissy waterfall is near to it. The Bagatelle Dam is situated at an elevation of 389 meters above sea level.
La Ferme
La Ferme, the sole reservoir in the western region of Mauritius, is located near Bambous village, bordered in part by the magnificent Corps de Garde and Montagne Saint Pierre mountain range. Constructed in 1914 and operational by 1918, La Ferme reservoir primarily serves to store water for irrigation. It is supplied by La Fenetre Canals, Grosses Roches Canal, and other nearby catchment areas. Its area is 2.28 km2, with a capacity of 11.5 mm3. During the drought season, La Ferme ranks among the driest reservoirs because of its geographical location.
Mare Longue
The Mare Longue reservoir, constructed in 1948, has been utilized for domestic water supply since 2011. It was utilized for irrigation and hydropower a long time ago. The Mare Longue reservoir has remarkable plant and animal diversity in its vicinity. It additionally provides water to Tamarind Falls, situated a few kilometers apart. It has a total capacity of 6.2 mm3, and an area of 1 km2.
Piton Du Milieu
Nearby to the Midlands Dam lies the Piton Du Milieu Reservoir. Established in 1952, the reservoir provides residential water supply to the eastern region of Mauritius. It possesses a capacity of 3 mm3 and an area of 1 km2. Piton Du Milieu boasts remarkable natural surroundings. Hiking enthusiasts frequently traverse the vicinity, especially at the peak of Piton Du Milieu, situated within a private hunting reserve.
Valetta
It is a privately owned reservoir, with a capacity of 2 mm3. Situated in the village of Valetta, this reservoir is sorely used for irrigation and industrial purposes. Near to it, locates the Dagotière reservoir, and Alma lake.
Champagne (Diamamouve Dam)
Cascade Diamamouve is historically renowned for the slave “Diamamouve,” who, according to certain accounts, jumped into the waterfall to evade slave hunters. The waterfall no longer exists due to the construction of a dam by the Central Electricity Board in the 1970s. The reservoir Champagne is mainly used for hydropower, and partly for irrigation. It has a capacity of 4.4 mm3.
La Nicolière
The reservoir was constructed in 1929. Prior to that, the area had a sugar mill, reportedly constructed in the late 1830s (precise year unknown), and subsequently destroyed by arson. Currently, the reservoir provides water for both residential and agricultural uses. The Midlands Dam functions as a buffer for La Nicolière. The renowned stone bridge was constructed by Paul Le Juge de Segrais, an engineer born in Mon Gout in 1868. The capacity of the reservoir is 5.3 mm3, with an area of 1.1 km2.
Tamarind Falls
The Tamarind Falls reservoir is located near Mare Longue Reservoir, specifically in Henrietta village. It possesses a capacity of 2.3 mm3 and an area of 1.7 km2. The reservoir’s principal function is hydropower generation and irrigation. Among the attractions in the region is the renowned Tamarind Falls, also referred to as “Sept Cascades,” a sanctuary for hikers.
Eau Bleue
Situated after the village of Bananes, the Eau Bleue reservoir is among the most beautiful and serene places, you will ever visit. Its primary purpose is hydropower, and it has a capacity of 4.10 mm3, with an area of less than 1 km2. Close to it is the Midlands reservoir. Bordered by the famous mountain range of La Grave, Eau Bleue remains an attractive place to visit, particularly known for the Eau Bleue falls.
Dagotière
Another privately owned, the Dagotière reservoir is used for industrial and irrigation purposes. It has a capacity of less than 1 mm3. Near to it, situates the Alma lake, and Valetta Reseroir. The Dagotière Reservoir is also known as the Dickson Lake.
Other Lakes In Mauritius
Here is a list of common lakes in Mauritius, which are not necessary used as water resources for domestic use. They are used mainly for irrigation, or as a buffer to other reservoirs.
- Alma lake (Alma)
- Bassin Merven (Solitude)
- Bassin Piram (Solitude)
- Bassin Figette (Poudre D’Or)
- Mare Du Puit (Belle Mare)
- Mare Trois Ilots (Quatres-Cocos)
Conclusion
The government launched the initiative to create the Rivière des Anguilles/Tyack dam some time ago, aimed at enhancing water supply for residents. The project is expected to materialize in the near future, as indicated by the latest budget speech for 2025-2026. Mauritius possesses ample water resources; nonetheless, thousands of individuals consistently encounter issues with water delivery. Notwithstanding the presence of several reservoirs, boreholes, and catchment areas as water resources, the management and distribution of water require continual revision. It is hoped that, in the future, the entire island is going to get a complete water supply.
Author & References
Author: Ali J | Date Published: June 8, 2025 | Last Updated: NA
References: Guy Rouillard (Histoire des Domaines Sucriers de Lile Maurice), Data on Storage Reservoir (https://publicutilities.govmu.org/), Water Resources Unit (https://publicutilities.govmu.org/).
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