The government of Burkina Faso, through its national electricity company, SONABEL, has announced it will commence controlled spillage of the Bagré Dam on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, due to rising water levels caused by heavy rainfall.
In a statement dated 22nd August and signed by Kindo Issiaka, Head of Hydraulics at SONABEL, the company disclosed that the dam’s current upstream elevation stands at 233.98 metres, with a filling rate of 86.38 per cent. The reservoir level is just 1.02 metres below the normal retention level, necessitating the release of excess water to protect the dam’s structural integrity.
A subsequent public notice from SONABEL’s Department of Communication and Public Relations confirmed: “SONABEL will proceed to open the valves of the dam flood drain on August 27, 2025, from 08:00.”
The notice strongly advised downstream communities to remain vigilant, stating: “SONABEL therefore invites the coastal populations living downstream of the dam to remain vigilant and to take necessary precautions against the potential risks of flooding as a result of this measure.”
The spillage operation is a routine safety measure to prevent uncontrolled overflow and potential dam failure during the peak rainy season.
Meanwhile, the update also provided status on the Kompienga Dam, indicating an upstream elevation of 177.66 metres and a filling rate of 77.26 per cent. Its reservoir level remains 2.34 metres below its maximum operating capacity, requiring continued monitoring.
The announcement serves as an early warning to communities along the White Volta Basin in both Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana, which often experience flooding following spillage from the Bagré Dam.
Source: graphic.com.gh
