Burkina Faso’s national electricity company, SONABEL, has commenced the 2026 spillway discharge at the Bagré Dam following the opening of one of the dam’s spillway gates.
The controlled water release began at 9:53 a.m. local time, with the upstream water level recorded at 234.79 metres, according to SONABEL.
Bagré Dam Spillway Gate Opened
SONABEL disclosed that one spillway gate was opened to a height of 0.41 metres, resulting in a water discharge rate of approximately 47.72 cubic metres per second.
The company said the operation forms part of its water management activities at the Bagré Dam and marks the beginning of the 2026 spillway discharge exercise.
SONABEL Alerts Communities Downstream
As part of measures to protect residents living downstream, SONABEL said a siren was activated to alert communities about the water release.
The siren warning followed radio announcements that had been broadcast continuously since Wednesday to inform residents about the planned spillway operation.
SONABEL also said areas considered to be at high risk downstream of the Bagré Dam had been cordoned off as a precautionary measure.
The safety measures are intended to reduce the risk to residents and prevent people from entering potentially dangerous areas during the controlled release of water.
Video of last year’s spillage(YouTube)
Bagré Rural Radio Covers Water Release Operation
A team from Bagré Rural Radio was present to cover the spillway discharge as part of efforts to increase public awareness and provide information about the dam operation.
The media coverage is expected to help residents understand the water release process and the safety precautions being implemented by authorities.
The commencement of the spillway discharge officially marks the start of the 2026 Bagré Dam water release operation, with SONABEL urging attention to safety measures in communities located downstream of the facility.
Source: newsthemegh.com