The latest hydrological observations carried out this morning at 8 a.m. by the Tambacounda Water Resources Brigade show a contrasting trend in water levels in the Gambia River basin. While some stations recorded a slight increase, the overall trend remains downward, a sign of a gradual decline in water levels at the end of the rainy season.

Significant decline in tributaries

On the tributaries of the Gambia River, several stations show a decrease in water levels.

1. In Diaguiri, the recorded level is 2.45 meters, compared to 2.54 m the day before, a drop of 9 cm. At the same time in 2024, the level reached 3.75 m, much higher than this year.
2. At Afia Pont (Thiokoye), the trend is also downward: 2.08 m this morning compared to 2.34 m yesterday, a decrease of 26 cm. Last year at the same date, the water level was 2.66 m.
3. On the other hand, the Niokolo Koba station recorded a slight increase, going from 5.43 m to 5.49 m, an increase of 6 cm. Nevertheless, the level remains well below the 7.98 m recorded at the same period in 2024.
4. As for the stations of Sinthiou Malème, Goumbayel and Diahra Pont, the water level remains insufficient to reach the measuring scale.

The Gambia River at Kédougou and Mako: an upward trend

In the upstream part of the river, the Kédougou station recorded a slight rise in water levels, reaching 3.41 m this morning, compared to 3.28 m yesterday, an increase of 13 cm. This level, however, remains lower than the 3.88 m observed on the same date in 2024.

The alert level for this station is set at 7 meters, a threshold that is still far away, reassuring for local populations.

In Mako, the trend is similar: 3.29 m this morning compared to 3.11 m yesterday, an increase of 18 cm. In comparison, the river reached 3.89 m at the same time last year.

The alert level there is 6 meters.

Simenti and Gouloumbou: opposing variations

In Simenti, a slight rise of 3 cm was observed (from 4.98 m to 5.01 m), far from the alert level set at 13 meters.

Conversely, the Gouloumbou station shows a marked drop, going from 6.36 m to 6.09 m, a decrease of 27 cm. The level remains well below the 12.83 m recorded on the same date in 2024, while remaining below the critical threshold of 12 meters.

A river in seasonal transition

These variations, generally downward, reflect the gradual transition to the dry season. Experts from the Tambacounda Water Resources Brigade emphasize that this trend is typical for the October period, marked by the end of rainfall and the natural decrease in river flows.