Gambia River: Severe rise in water levels in Kédougou, the alert level is approaching

The water level of the Gambia River has risen sharply at several monitoring stations in the Kédougou region. At the Kédougou station, the water level jumped 1.93 meters in 24 hours, reaching 6.23 meters at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The alert level, set at 7 meters, is now only 77 centimeters.

The rising waters of the Gambia River are accelerating in Kédougou. According to the daily hydrological bulletin of the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, the water level measured this Wednesday, September 23, at 8 a.m. was 6.23 m, compared to 4.30 m the day before.

This represents a dramatic rise of 1.93 meters in just 24 hours. The Kédougou station is now 77 cm below the alert threshold of 7 mm. However, the level remains lower than that recorded on the same date in 2025, which was 6.36 meters.

Mako and Simenti also on the rise

The upward trend also affects several other stations in the basin.

In Mako, the river level rose from 3.73 to 4.18 m, an increase of 45 cm in 24 hours. The alert level there is set at 6 meters, leaving a margin of error of 1.82 m.

In Simenti, the rise is even more pronounced: the water level reached 6.18 m, compared to 5.40 m the previous day, representing an increase of 78 centimeters. The alert level is set at 13 m, with a difference of 6.82 m.

The Thiokoye station also recorded a significant increase. The level rose from 3.02 to 4.37 m, an increase of 1.35 m in 24 hours.

Diaguiri up, Gouloumbou down slightly

At Diaguiri, the river level is at 3.64 m, compared to 2.05 m the previous day, representing a rise of 1.59 m. The alert level is 6 m, with a difference of 2.36 m.

Conversely, the Gouloumbou station shows a slight decrease. The level has fallen from 6.38 to 6.25 m, a drop of 13 cm in 24 hours. However, it remains well below the alert threshold of 12 mm.

Data still awaited in Niokolokoba

The bulletin also indicates that the day's water level had not yet reached the Niokolokoba station. The last available measurement, from September 22nd, was 4.10 m.

At Diarha Pont, the water level recorded on September 23rd was 2.35 m, compared to no available data for the previous day. This level is 0.78 m higher than that recorded on the same date in 2025.

The summary table thus confirms a general upward trend at several stations in the Gambia River basin, with a situation particularly to be monitored in Kédougou, where the level of 6.23 m is approaching the alert level of 7 m.