Bagré Dam spillway opening considered due to rising water levels

SONABEL, the electricity utility in Burkina Faso, is considering opening the spillway gates at the Bagré Dam as early as Friday, August 28, 2026. This potential action depends on the reservoir reaching a water level of 234.75 metres. Currently, the dam's upstream water level is 234.55 metres, meaning the reservoir is 93.98% full and only 0.45 metres below its normal operating level of 235 metres.

Water releases from the Bagré Dam are closely monitored in Ghana, as spillage can impact water levels along the White Volta, potentially raising flood concerns in northern Ghana.

In a related update, the nearby Kompienga Dam is currently at 81.45% capacity, with a water level of 178.13 metres. One floodgate at the Kompienga Dam has been open since January 1, 2026, discharging water at approximately 19 cubic metres per second to maintain minimum river levels rather than to regulate flood flows.