Safety monitoring and management system for Lagdo Dam, North Cameroon

The Lagdo dam in northern Cameroon, built between 1978 and 1984 with an initial capacity of 72 MW (now reduced by half), is the primary source of hydroelectric power for the northern grid. This 40 m high embankment dam (190 m base width, 10 m crest width) holds 7.7 billion dm³ of water. Its core is composed of clayey sand, complemented by horizontal filters and drains, while granite and gneiss riprap protect the embankments. Despite its strategic importance, the Lagdo Dam lacked a safety monitoring system based on international standards. Instrumentation records piezometric fluctuations with early operational peaks followed by recent declines. Displacement monitoring shows initial significant horizontal and vertical movements, stabilizing over the last two decades. Visual inspections revealed several anomalies including cracks, embankment degradation, overgrown vegetation, termite mounds, erosion traces, and water leaks, all of which compromise the safety of the structure. The over 40-year-old Lagdo Dam is classified as a Class A dam, and its monitoring system must comply with international standards. In addition to routine inspections, it is crucial to include scheduled, special and in-depth inspections.