Burkina Faso’s electricity utility company, SONABEL, has announced that it is contemplating the opening of the spillway gates at the Bagré Dam this week due to a continuous increase in water levels within the reservoir.
The most recent hydrological assessment indicates that the upstream water level of the Bagré Dam has reached 234.55 meters, with the reservoir now 93.98% full. This figure places it a mere 0.45 meters below its Normal Operating Water Level of 235 meters.
In an update released on Tuesday, SONABEL stated that it may initiate the opening of the spillway gates as soon as Friday, August 28, 2026, should the reservoir elevation rise to 234.75 meters.
The company assured the public that it would provide advance notification regarding the specific date and time for any water releases, should such actions become necessary.
It is worth noting that the releases from the Bagré Dam are closely monitored in Ghana, as the spillage can significantly impact water levels downstream along the White Volta, raising concerns about potential flooding in various regions of northern Ghana.
In contrast, the nearby Kompienga Dam is currently operating well below capacity, with an upstream water level of 178.13 meters and a filling rate of 81.45%, which is 1.87 meters below its Normal Operating Water Level of 180 meters.
SONABEL has also reported that one of the floodgates at Kompienga has been partially opened at 0.50 meters since January 1, 2026, allowing for a discharge rate of 19.08 cubic meters per second.
This update was disseminated by Ernest Sanou, an engineer within SONABEL’s Hydraulic Service, which operates under the utility’s Hydroelectric Production Department.
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