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By Samuel Asamoah
The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has issued an urgent public notice alerting communities along the White Volta River and adjoining areas in Ghana to prepare for the controlled spillage of water from the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
According to the Commission, the spillage follows updates from SONABEL, the power-producing company that manages the dam, indicating that water levels have reached a critical point. As of Friday, August 22, 2025, the water level at the Bagré Dam stood at 233.98 metres, representing a filling rate of 86.38 percent.
The WRC explained that the spillage is a precautionary safety measure to prevent the dam from exceeding its holding capacity, which could have dire consequences for both Burkina Faso and downstream communities in Ghana.
“The Water Resources Commission wishes to inform all stakeholders and the general public about the update of water levels of the Bagré Dam received from SONABEL in Burkina Faso,” the Commission noted in the release.
The Commission has therefore advised residents living in low-lying and flood-prone communities along the White Volta basin, including farmers and fisherfolk, to take necessary precautions and strictly adhere to safety guidelines issued by local assemblies and disaster management agencies.
The annual controlled spillage of the Bagré Dam often raises concerns in Ghana’s northern regions, where downstream flooding has in previous years destroyed farmlands, displaced households, and claimed lives. Authorities say proactive measures and timely alerts are essential to mitigate the impact of the spillage.
The Water Resources Commission emphasized that its collaboration with relevant national and local institutions is ongoing to ensure adequate preparedness and response before the scheduled release of water begins.
