Bagre’ Dam Spillage Looms: Water Resources Commission Alerts Communities Along White Volta

Accra – 24Hour News – August 6, 2026_ – Ghanaian authorities have raised an alert over an impending controlled discharge of water from Burkina Faso’s Bagré Dam, with downstream areas along the White Volta at risk of flooding.

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) said in a statement released August 4, 2026, that SONABEL, managers of the Bagré Dam, reported the reservoir is currently at 232.93 metres. That puts it at 62.77% capacity.

If the level climbs to the 234.00-metre mark, SONABEL will open the dam gates starting Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the Commission confirmed.

The WRC warned that once spillage starts, the White Volta and its tributaries are likely to swell rapidly. That could lead to flooding in low-lying settlements across northern Ghana and other areas connected to the river system.

To reduce risk, the Commission is urging residents living close to riverbanks to take early action. Residents have been advised to stay informed by following safety updates from MMDAs, NADMO, and other state agencies. They should also move people, livestock, and valuables from flood-prone zones to safety, and avoid riverbanks and flooded roads until further notice.

“Annual discharges from Bagré Dam have in the past submerged homes, destroyed farmlands, cut off roads, and displaced hundreds of people in northern Ghana,” the WRC noted. “Early preparation is critical to limit losses this year.”

The Commission added that it is working closely with SONABEL and local authorities to track water levels and weather patterns, and will issue further updates as the situation develops.

Residents have been advised to treat the alert seriously and not wait until water levels rise.