Communities living downstream of Burkina Faso’s Bagré Dam have received a temporary reprieve as the Water Resources Commission (WRC) announced the postponement of a planned controlled spillage.
The decision, shared in a press release on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, follows new data from SONABEL, the dam’s operator, showing that the reservoir level remains below the critical threshold for water release.
According to the WRC, the Bagré Dam’s reservoir currently stands at 233.08 metres, accounting for 75.40 percent of its capacity. This measurement leaves the water level 1.92 metres shy of the dam’s normal level of 235.00 metres, and still 1.42 metres below the 234.50-metre mark required to trigger the controlled spillage.
The news comes after the WRC’s earlier warning on August 4, which cautioned farmers and residents along vulnerable waterways, especially those near the Kubore River in northern Ghana, to prepare for possible flooding. With the latest update, those communities have gained extra time to brace for any eventuality, though the risk remains should water levels rise further due to rainfall or increased inflows.
SONABEL, tasked with managing the dam, has opted to continue monitoring the situation, delaying the commencement of spillage until the required reservoir level is reached. The WRC has assured the public that it will relay any significant developments, including the exact date and time of water release, as soon as SONABEL confirms the need for action.
The Commission emphasized the importance of continued vigilance among stakeholders and residents in potentially affected areas. While the postponement offers some relief, the WRC reiterated that the situation could change rapidly, urging everyone to stay alert for further updates and official advisories.
For now, the threat of immediate flooding from the Bagré Dam has been postponed, but the WRC continues its close watch over the reservoir, promising timely communication should conditions warrant a controlled spillage.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen