Gambia River: the level is rising in Kédougou, but remains well below the alert level.

The Gambia River is rising in Kédougou. According to the daily hydrological bulletin from the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, the water level increased from 3.74 m to 4.04 m between September 20 and 21, 2026. Despite this 30 cm rise in 24 hours, the level remains 2.96 m below the alert level.

The hydrological situation of the Gambia River and its main tributaries shows contrasting developments this Monday, September 21, 2026.

In Kédougou, the water level recorded at 8 a.m. was 4.04 m, compared to 3.74 m the previous day, representing a rise of 30 cm in 24 hours. However, the level remains lower than that recorded on the same date in 2025, which was 6.90 m. The year-to-date difference thus reaches 2.86 m.

With the alert level set at 7 meters, the current river level is still 2.96 meters below this threshold. The bulletin nevertheless classifies the Kédougou station as under yellow alert, urging continued vigilance.

Mako and Niokolokoba on the rise

At Mako, the water level is also rising. It has increased from 3.38 m to 3.47 m, a rise of 9 cm in 24 hours. There too, the level remains significantly lower than that observed at the same time in 2025: 5.48 m compared to the current 3.47 m. The alert level is set at 6 m, leaving a margin of error of 2.53 m.

In Niokolo-Koba, the rise is even more pronounced. The water level reached 3.78 m, compared to 3.30 m the previous day, representing an increase of 48 cm. Despite this increase, the level remains 2.05 m lower than that recorded on September 21, 2025, which was 5.83 m.

Decline in Simenti and Gouloumbou

The trend is reversed at some stations along the main course. At Simenti, the water level fell from 5.63 m to 5.40 m, a drop of 23 cm in 24 hours. The difference from the alert level, set at 13 m, is 7.60 m. Compared to the same date in 2025, the water level shows a year-on-year decrease of 4.89 m.

In Gouloumbou, the water level is also receding, dropping from 6.60 m to 6.51 m, a decrease of 9 cm. The alert level is set at 12 m, with a deviation of 5.49 m. The level is 2.52 m lower than that recorded on the same date in 2025.

Diaguiri on the rise, Thiokoye stable

In the tributaries, the Diaguiri station recorded a rise of 14 cm. The level increased from 1.60 m to 1.74 m, remaining well below the alert level set at 6 m, with a difference of 4.26 m.

In Thiokoye, however, the situation remains stable. The water level remains at 1.95 m, with no change recorded in 24 hours. It is, however, 3.68 m lower than the level observed on the same date in 2025.

A contrasting hydrological situation

Overall, the data from September 21 show a contrasting situation on the Gambia River monitoring network: rise in Kédougou, Mako, Diaguiri and Niokolokoba; fall in Simenti and Gouloumbou; stability in Thiokoye.

In Kédougou, the main monitoring point in the region, the most significant change was the 30 cm rise in a single day. However, with a level of 4.04 m compared to an alert level of 7 m, the river remains 2.96 m below the alert threshold.