This study, on institutional, economic, social and ecological aspects of sustainable development, is based on an analysis of the Senegal River watershed including four countries (Senegal, Mali, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau). At regional analysis scale, our research shows the River’s management throws up many problems and could not be considered as sustainable. The study indicates an opposition between institutions or bureaucracy and local communities. The firsts manage the River and focus decision-making power, while the seconds are not really involved in decision-making processes. Furthermore, Diama and Manantali’s dams impacts show very controversial results : the irrigation’s improvement is accompanied by a deterioration of ecological conditions. At National and Local levels, this study highlights several changes that result primarily from regional activities (dams, environmental management tools, conventional and legal measures introduced by national and regional bureaucracy...). These changes can be observed in different forms and are supported by local communities. These results defend altogether a sustainable development’s aim.