Gambia River: Water levels are rising in Kédougou, several stations reporting increases

The water levels of the Gambia River and its tributaries continue to rise at several monitoring stations in the Kédougou region. The most significant increase recorded in 24 hours was observed at Thiokoye, with a rise of nearly one meter. In Kédougou, the level also increased by 42 centimeters. Despite these increases, the water levels remain below alert thresholds.

The hydrological situation of the Gambia River has taken a new turn in the Kédougou region. According to the daily hydrological bulletin from the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, published on September 16, 2026, several stations have recorded a rise in water levels over the past 24 hours.

At the Kédougou station, the water level recorded at 8:00 AM was 4.63 meters, compared to 4.21 meters the previous day, representing a rise of 42 centimeters in 24 hours. With the alert level set at 7 meters, the current level is still 2.37 meters below this threshold.

The Mako station also recorded a rise, but a more moderate one. The level increased from 3.70 to 3.76 meters, an additional 6 centimeters in one day. The alert level there is set at 6 meters, leaving a margin of error of 2.24 meters.

Thiokoye: the strongest progression

The most dramatic rise was recorded at the Thiokoye station. The water level there increased from 2.77 to 3.76 meters, a rise of 99 centimeters in 24 hours. The report thus indicates an upward trend.

At Simenti, the water level reached 6.06 meters, compared to 5.71 meters the previous day, representing a rise of 35 centimeters. Despite this increase, the station remains 6.94 meters below its alert level, set at 13 meters.

In Gouloumbou, the rise is much smaller: the level increases from 6.21 to 6.22 meters, a rise of only 1 centimeter. The alert level is set at 12 meters, with a deviation of 5.78 meters.

Contrasting levels compared to 2025

Comparison with the same period in 2025 reveals generally lower levels at several stations. In Kédougou, the current level of 4.63 meters is 1.88 meters lower than that recorded on September 16, 2025, which was 6.51 meters.

In Diaguiri, the water level reached 2.30 meters, compared to 1.93 meters the previous day, representing a rise of 37 centimeters. However, it remains 2.09 meters below the level recorded on the same date in 2025.

At Simenti, the current level of 6.06 meters also remains lower than last year's, with an inter-year decrease of 2.48 meters.

Two stations, however, show a different trend. At Thiokoye, the current level is 0.76 meters higher than that observed on September 16, 2025. At Diarha Pont, it shows an interannual rise of 0.16 meters, going from 1.68 to 1.84 meters.

No breach of alert levels

The summary table confirms a general upward trend in the stations with data for September 16th. Kédougou, Mako, Simenti, Gouloumbou, Diaguiri, Thiokoye and Diarha Pont are all trending upwards.

The Niokolokoba station, however, does not yet have measurements for September 16th. The last available level, recorded the previous day, was 2.43 meters.

Despite the various reports received, the bulletin data does not indicate that alert levels have been exceeded at the stations listed. However, monitoring of river levels remains necessary, particularly given the sometimes significant variations recorded within a 24-hour period.