Gambia River: Water levels have fallen in Kédougou, but rise in Mako and Gouloumbou

The hydrological situation of the Gambia River remains mixed at several monitoring stations. According to the daily hydrological bulletin from the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, published this Wednesday, August 26, 2026, water levels recorded at 8:00 AM show both upward and downward variations, without, however, reaching alert levels.

In Kédougou, the Gambia River level is at 4.18 meters, compared to 4.22 meters the previous day, representing a decrease of 4 centimeters in 24 hours. Despite this slight drop, the level remains 52 centimeters higher than that recorded on the same date in 2025, when it was 3.66 meters. With the alert level set at 7 meters, the difference remains at 2.82 meters.

On Mako, however, the water level has risen slightly, increasing from 3.65 to 3.68 meters, a rise of 3 centimeters in 24 hours. The alert level is set at 6 meters, leaving a margin of 2.32 meters.

The rise is more pronounced in Gouloumbou, where the level reached 5.48 meters, compared to 5.34 meters the previous day, representing an increase of 14 centimeters. This station, however, remains well below its alert level of 12 meters, with a difference of 6.52 meters.

In Simenti, the water level has risen to 5.45 meters, compared to 5.62 meters the previous day, representing a decrease of 17 centimeters. Here again, the situation remains below the alert threshold of 13 meters, with a difference of 7.55 meters.

The most significant drop was observed in Diaguiri. The water level fell from 2.38 meters to 1.85 meters, a decrease of 53 centimeters in 24 hours. Compared to August 26, 2025, when the level was 3.58 meters, the year-on-year decrease is 1.73 meters. With the alert level set at 6 meters, the difference from this threshold is 4.15 meters.

At Niokolokoba, a slight decrease of 2 centimeters was recorded, with the water level dropping from 1.41 to 1.39 meters. This decrease is particularly significant compared to the same period in 2025, when the level reached 6.89 meters, representing an inter-year decrease of 5.50 meters.

For Thiokoye, the daily water level had not yet been recorded at the time the bulletin was issued. It was 2.95 meters the previous day, compared to 1.74 meters on the same date in 2025.

The situation is generally under control.

The summary table thus confirms a contrasting hydrological situation, with decreases in Kédougou, Simenti, Diaguiri and Niokolokoba, while Mako and Gouloumbou record increases.

The available data do not currently show any exceedances of the alert levels indicated for the main stations. However, vigilance remains essential, particularly given the daily fluctuations in the levels of the river and its tributaries.

Regular monitoring of hydrometric stations therefore remains essential in order to anticipate any significant changes in the situation and to warn the population in the event of a rapid rise in water levels.