Flood alert: Bagre Dam to spill two days earlier than scheduled
Contrary to an earlier announcement that the spillage of the Bagre Dam would take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, authorities in Burkina Faso have rescheduled the exercise to Monday, August 25, 2025.
The decision follows a rapid rise in water levels that has exceeded initial projections.
In a statement, SONABEL, the agency managing the Bagre and Kompienga dams, explained that the speed of the water rise had surpassed their estimates, forcing them to open the floodgates earlier than planned.
As of Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Bagre Dam recorded an elevation of 234.27 metres with a filling rate of 90.24 per cent, just 0.73 metres below its maximum retention level.
Similarly, the Kompienga Dam stood at 177.90 metres with a filling rate of 79.36 per cent, leaving only 2.10 metres before reaching its normal retention capacity.
SONABEL stated:
🚨 Early Opening of Bagré Dam Valves 🚨
“SONABEL informs the coastal populations of the hydroelectric dam of Bagré that, following the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days, the water level of the hold has reached a critical threshold and requires a faster evacuation of the surplus.
“Consequently, SONABEL will open the valves of the dam flood evacuator from Monday, August 25, 2025 from 08 o'clock, instead of Wednesday, August 27, as initially announced.
“SONABEL therefore invites the coastal populations living downstream of the dam to remain vigilant and to take all necessary precautions against the risks of flooding that may result from this measure.
“SONABEL, together at the service of a great ambition!”
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.
