Gambia River: significant rise in water levels at Simenti and Gouloumbou, Kédougou under vigilance

The hydrological situation of the Gambia River and its main tributaries is showing contrasting trends this Tuesday, September 1, 2026. While some stations are recording a decrease in water levels, others are showing significant increases, particularly in Simenti and Gouloumbou. In Kédougou, vigilance remains essential as the alert level is set at 7 meters.

According to the daily hydrological bulletin from the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, the water level recorded this morning in Kédougou has not yet reached its peak. The previous day, the level stood at 6.47 meters, nearing the critical point.

Simenti records a rise of more than one meter

The situation is particularly acute in Simenti, where the river level rose from 7.75 meters on August 31st to 8.79 meters this Tuesday, a rapid increase of 1.04 meters in 24 hours. Despite this significant rise, the river remains 4.21 meters below the alert level, set at 13 meters.

In Gouloumbou, the water level also rose significantly, reaching 6.49 meters, compared to 6.07 meters the previous day (+42 cm). The alert level there is set at 12 meters, thus maintaining a safety margin of 5.51 meters.

Mako slightly up

At Mako, the trend is also upward, but to a more moderate degree. The level rose from 4.77 to 4.84 meters, an increase of 7 centimeters in 24 hours. With the alert level set at 6 meters, the critical threshold is now only 1.16 meters.

Significant decline

Other stations, however, are experiencing a decline in water levels. In Diaguiri, the water level has dropped from 4.86 to 4.53 meters (-33 cm). The level, however, remains 42 centimeters higher than that recorded on the same date in 2025.

In Thiokoye, the water level also receded by 18 centimeters (from 5.99 to 5.81 meters). Despite this decline, the year-on-year comparison reveals a level 3.89 meters higher than on September 1, 2025.

Significant decrease in water levels at Diarha Pont

The most dramatic drop occurred at the Diarha Pont station, where the water level fell from 4.86 meters to 2.22 meters, a decrease of 2.64 meters in 24 hours. However, the level remains 0.80 meters higher than that observed at the same time last year.

In Goumbayel, the situation is stable: the level remains at 1.63 meters. However, it is 0.40 meters lower than the reading of the previous year.

Increased vigilance

The summary table in the bulletin shows very contrasting dynamics: increase in Mako, Simenti and Gouloumbou; decrease in Diaguiri, Thiokoye and Diarha Pont; stability in Goumbayel.

Faced with these disparities, the hydrological services maintain a high level of vigilance and urge riverside populations to exercise the utmost caution, particularly in areas prone to rapid water rises.