Gambia River: the water level continues to recede in Kédougou and Mako, but vigilance remains essential

Despite a drop in water levels at Kédougou, Mako, and several tributaries, the Gambia River continues to rise at Simenti and Gouloumbou. Orange alerts remain in effect at several stations, according to the hydrological bulletin of October 9, 2026.

The hydrological situation of the Gambia River remains mixed. While the receding waters are confirmed at Kédougou and Mako, two stations located upstream, the rising waters continue at Simenti and Gouloumbou, maintaining pressure on several sectors of the basin.

According to the daily bulletin from the Tambacounda-Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, published this Friday, October 9, 2026, the Gambia River level reached 5.23 meters in Kédougou at 8:00 AM, compared to 5.38 meters the previous day. This represents a decrease of 15 centimeters in 24 hours. Despite this drop, the water level remains 1.45 meters higher than that recorded on the same date in 2025, when the level was 3.78 meters.

In Mako, the drop is more pronounced. The station recorded 4.57 meters, compared to 4.97 meters the previous day, representing a decrease of 40 centimeters in 24 hours. However, the level remains 99 centimeters higher than that of October 9, 2025. The station remains under orange alert, with a level 1.43 meters below its alert threshold of 6 meters. In Kédougou, the yellow alert remains in effect.

Simenti and Gouloumbou still on the rise

Further downstream, the trend is different. At Simenti, the river level rose from 11.01 to 11.23 meters, an increase of 22 centimeters in 24 hours. The recorded height exceeds by 4.06 meters the level observed at the same time in 2025.

In Gouloumbou, the water level is also rising, but at a slower pace. It has increased from 10.37 to 10.47 meters, a rise of 10 centimeters in 24 hours. It remains 62 centimeters higher than the level recorded a year ago.

These two stations are under orange alert. At Simenti, the water level is 1.77 meters below the alert threshold of 13 meters. At Gouloumbou, the difference is 1.53 meters from the alert threshold of 12 meters.

Tributaries are receding, except at Diarha Pont

On the tributaries, the general trend is downward. At Diaguiri, the water level has dropped to 4.25 meters, compared to 4.89 meters the previous day, representing a decrease of 64 centimeters in 24 hours. The station remains under yellow alert, with the water level 1.75 meters below the alert threshold of 6 meters.

At Thiokoye, the water level fell by 62 centimeters, dropping from 5.85 to 5.23 meters. At Niokolokoba, the decrease was more moderate, with the level settling at 6.97 meters compared to 7.08 meters the previous day, a drop of 11 centimeters.

In contrast, the Diarha Pont station recorded a slight rise. The level increased from 3 to 3.03 meters, a rise of 3 centimeters in 24 hours.

Vigilance is always necessary.

While the decreases observed in Kédougou, Mako, and several tributaries indicate a respite, the situation remains concerning on certain stretches of the Gambia River. The increases recorded in Simenti and Gouloumbou, combined with levels significantly higher than last year, justify maintaining the orange alert at these stations.

The hydrological bulletin of October 9th reminds us that the receding waters are not uniform across the entire basin. Water level fluctuations remain to be monitored, particularly in areas where the river continues to rise.