Communities along the White Volta Basin in both Burkina Faso and Northern Ghana have been placed on high alert as authorities in Burkina Faso have announced an earlier-than-expected spillage of the Bagre Dam.
The spillage, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2025, will now begin on Monday, August 25, 2025, following a rapid and unexpected rise in water levels.
SONABEL Statement on Rising Water Levels
In a press release, the National Electricity Company of Burkina Faso (SONABEL), managers of both the Bagre and Kompienga dams, explained that recent heavy rains had caused water levels to surpass projected thresholds, forcing them to open the floodgates two days 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%, leaving it just 0.73 metres below its maximum retention level. Similarly, the Kompienga Dam reached 177.90 metres, with a filling rate of 79.36%, only 2.10 metres shy of its normal retention capacity.
Official Warning to Downstream Communities
SONABEL cautioned that the decision to open the floodgates was necessary to prevent the dams from breaching dangerous limits.
🚨 SONABEL’s Flood Alert 🚨
“Following the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days, the water level of the Bagre Dam has reached a critical threshold and requires faster evacuation of surplus water. Consequently, SONABEL will open the valves of the dam flood evacuator from Monday, August 25, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., instead of Wednesday, August 27, as initially announced.
SONABEL therefore invites the coastal populations living downstream of the dam to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions against the risks of flooding that may result from this measure.”
Implications for Northern Ghana
The annual spillage of the Bagre Dam often causes widespread flooding in Northern Ghana, particularly in farming communities located along the White Volta Basin. Local authorities in Ghana are expected to issue further guidance and emergency preparedness measures to mitigate the risks.
Residents downstream are being urged to move to higher grounds, safeguard property, and monitor official updates from disaster management agencies.
Source: Trendz Gh
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