Water Level Management in Lagdo & Risk Control

.

During the rainy season, the Ladgo Dam works to retain water from the Benoue drainage basin in order to generate power in the power plant located downstream of the dam when the water level subsequently drops.

This water retention role helps keep, in the dam, a quantity of water that could have flown downwards unrestrained and caused damage.

This year, the dam once again played its role. As such, water from heavy rains did not transit through the dam to feed the torrents crossing several villages in Benoue in neighbouring Nigeria and made up of water from several rivers including some in Niger and others in Nigeria.

During this delicate period, Eneo teams control the water level in the dam, gauging the time it takes to be filled and release only measured quantities of water. This is a seasonal operation known as water level management.

The main worry is flooding of residents who take risk to launch activities and build in the dried-up bed of the Benoue downstream of the dam during the dry season. This accounts for the communication and sensitization drive directed at residents in order to convince them to steer clear of the water's path.

As concerns the flooding in Nigeria, it is inaccurate and exaggerated to point a finger at the Lagdo dam. At least two reasons could account for this assertion. Firstly, floods in Nigeria started even when water was not released from Lagdo. Secondly, when water is released in Lagdo, the impact of the Benoue on torrents that flow towards vulnerable areas in Nigeria is relatively low when compared to water coming from various water bodies in Niger and even Nigeria, according to checks by experts.

This year 2024, water level management around the Lagdo dam has respected the same rules of caution as in the past. The first releases started yesterday 18 September 2024 with modest and  controlled quantities. Eneo Communications
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Download PDF version here