Spillage of water from Bagre Dam commences; residents urged to move to higher grounds
One of the valves of the dam was opened at 9:53 am Friday August 28, 2026 marking the effective start of the 2026 spillway discharges
The Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso began releasing controlled amounts of water on August 28, 2026, after one of its valves was opened at 9:53 am. The upstream water level at the time stood at 234.79 meters, with a discharge release of 47.72 cubic meters per second. Authorities warned residents and farmers downstream to seek higher ground for safety reasons.
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) had previously alerted communities along the White Volta River and nearby areas about the potential controlled spillage of the Bagré Dam on August 11, 2026, should water levels continue to rise.
On August 4, the WRC received an update from SONABEL, the dam's operators, stating that the reservoir's water level was at 232.93 meters, with the dam 62.77 percent full. SONABEL plans to continue controlled water releases if the reservoir level reaches 234.00 meters, a step aimed at ensuring the dam's safe operation. The WRC has advised residents in communities along the White Volta River and surrounding flood-prone areas to stay vigilant and follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities and other relevant state agencies. The commission will keep monitoring the situation and provide updates as conditions change.
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