ISSUED BY: Water Resources Commission (WRC), Ghana
DOCUMENT REF: WRC/PUB/ADV-2026/08
DATE OF ISSUE: August 6, 2026
TARGET REGIONS: Upper East, North East, Northern, and Savanna Regions (White Volta Basin)
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) wishes to issue an urgent public advisory to all key stakeholders, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), traditional authorities, disaster management agencies, riverine operators, and the general public regarding the water level status of the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso.
Official technical updates transmitted by SONABEL—the electricity utility company of Burkina Faso and operators of the Bagré Dam—indicate that sustained upstream precipitation within the international Volta Basin catchment has led to a rapid rise in the reservoir’s storage levels.
To prevent structural failure and maintain dam integrity, preparations are underway for a controlled water spillage exercise. Discharged waters will flow downstream into the White Volta River system within Ghana, leading to a significant increase in water levels, flow velocity, and localized flooding in low-lying riparian areas.
As per official hydrometric measurements recorded on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the operational metrics of the Bagré Dam reservoir are as follows:
| Metric / Parameter | Value / Reading | Technical Status |
| Current Reservoir Level | 232.93 metres | Active Monitoring Phase |
| Dam Filling Rate | 62.77% | Rapid Inflow Increment |
| Spillage Trigger Elevation | 234.00 metres | Mandatory Discharge Level |
| Target Spillage Date | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Subject to ongoing inflow conditions |
Operational Context: If precipitation in the upstream catchment pushes the reservoir level to the 234.00-metre mark prior to or by August 11, SONABEL will open the dam spillways. Once opened, high volumes of water will enter the White Volta River trunk, impacting downstream districts within 24 to 48 hours of release.
Communities, agricultural installations, and infrastructure situated along the main channel and tributaries of the White Volta River are at elevated risk of inundation. High-risk areas include, but are not limited to:
Upper East Region: Bawku West, Binduri, Talensi, Nabdam, and Kassena-Nankana West Districts.
North East Region: West Mamprusi (Walewale), Mamprugu Moagduri, Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri, and Chereponi.
Northern & Savanna Regions: Savelugu, Kumbungu, Karaga, Central Gonja (Yapei/Buipe areas), and surrounding riverine settlements.
Assets Most Exposed to Impact:
Agricultural Sector: Farmlands cultivated with maize, rice, sorghum, yams, and vegetables in floodplains.
Infrastructure: Low-lying feeder bridges, culverts, river transport landing sites, and water intake facilities.
Residential & Livestock: Structures, homes, and livestock pens within the historic 100-year flood zone.
The Water Resources Commission urges all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the following emergency precautionary measures:
A. For Residents and Farmers in High-Risk Communities:
Immediate Relocation of Vulnerable Assets: Farmers along the riverbanks should harvest mature crops where feasible and immediately relocate livestock, farm machinery, and equipment to higher ground.
Evacuation of Low-Lying Structures: Residents living close to riverbanks or within flood-prone paths must temporarily move to designated safe shelters identified by local assemblies.
Water Safety: Avoid wading, swimming, or fishing in the White Volta River during high-flow periods. Canoe operators are urged to cease operations when water levels rise or currents become strong.
Child Safety: Parents and guardians must keep children away from swollen streams, drainage channels, and riverbanks.
B. For Local Assemblies (MMDAs) and Disaster Agencies (NADMO):
Activate Response Plans: Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are to immediately convene District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs).
Sensitization Campaigns: Intensify local public announcements using community radio, gongs, and information vans in local languages.
Emergency Staging: Identify and prepare temporary safe havens (schools, community halls) equipped with basic sanitation and access for emergency services.
The Water Resources Commission, in collaboration with the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) and national hydro-meteorological agencies, is continuously tracking inflow rates and spillage schedules from Burkina Faso. Further updates will be issued as new hydrological data becomes available.
For further information, emergency reporting, or technical enquiries, please contact:
Water Resources Commission (Head Office, Accra)
Phone / Emergency Hotline: +233 (0) 302 763 629
Email: info@wrc.gov.gh
Website: www.wrc.gov.gh
Local Authorities: Contact your nearest District Assembly or NADMO Secretariat.
Issued under the Authority of the Executive Secretary, Water Resources Commission, Ghana.
