Authorities in Burkina Faso are closely monitoring the rising water level of the Bagre Dam as the reservoir approaches its normal operating level, with controlled spillage potentially beginning on Friday, August 28, 2026.
SONABEL, the operator and manager of the dam, has indicated that the spillway could be opened if the reservoir reaches a critical level of 234.75 metres.
The White Volta Basin Secretariat of Ghana’s Water Resources Commission, in its latest daily update, said the Bagre Dam currently stood at 234.55 metres, representing a filling rate of 93.98 per cent.
The current level is just 0.45 metres below the dam’s normal reservoir level of 235.0 metres.
The Commission said SONABEL was likely to commence controlled spillage on Friday if the reservoir level reaches the 234.75-metre threshold.
“SONABEL may likely open the spillway of the Bagre Dam on Friday, August 28, 2026, if the reservoir level reaches 234.75 metres. If this occurs, you will be updated,” the Commission stated.
The development comes as authorities continue to monitor water levels in major dams within the White Volta Basin, particularly during the period of increased rainfall.
Kompienga Dam Also Being Monitored
Meanwhile, the Kompienga Dam in Burkina Faso is also holding a significant volume of water.
The latest figures put its water level at 178.13 metres, with the reservoir filled to 81.45 per cent of capacity.
The level is 1.87 metres below the normal reservoir level of 180.0 metres.
Unlike the potential Bagre Dam spillage, however, the opening at the Kompienga Dam is not intended to release or regulate floodwaters.
The Water Resources Commission said the spillway of the Kompienga Dam has remained open at 0.5 metres since January 1, 2026, with a discharge rate of 19.03 cubic metres per second.
According to the Commission, the controlled discharge is intended to maintain a minimum water level in the river rather than manage flood flows.
The Bagre Dam situation will therefore remain under close observation, with further updates expected if the reservoir reaches the level at which SONABEL would initiate controlled spillage.
