The McKeough Dam remains in operation and a flood warning is still in place across the region.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) first issued the warning on Tuesday and at 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday the gates of the McKeough Dam were closed to reduce potential residential flooding in Wallaceburg.
“The control gates remain open under normal flow conditions, but when Wallaceburg is threatened by flooding, they are closed and divert the flow down the diversion channel,” SCRCA officials stated.
“The McKeough Floodway is capable of controlling all flood water upstream of the dam by diversion and temporary storage. The floodway is located such that it controls approximately 37% of the East and North Sydenham River drainage basins upstream of Wallaceburg.”
The W. Darcy McKeough Floodway is the largest flood diversion project in Ontario.
“The floodway was completed in 1984 to reduce the threat of flooding in the Town of Wallaceburg,” SCRCA officials say.
“The floodway is situated approximately 12 kilometres north of Wallaceburg in Sombra Township. It consists of an earth fill dam embankment and concrete control structure housing two vertical sluice gates. The grass lined diversion channel stretches seven kilometres west to the St. Clair River. Near the channel outlet, a concrete drop structure reduces the energy of the diverted flood waters before entering the St. Clair River. The drop structure also separates the St. Clair River from the normally dry channel.”
SCRCA officials say water levels are expected to remain high for the next few days.
“Ice conditions have deteriorated throughout the watershed with significant thickness in the lower reaches of the Sydenham River. When this ice breaks up, ice jams are very possible and could result in minor flooding above the jams. Forecast precipitation may increase levels or prolong peak conditions into Friday,” SCRCA officials say.
The following roads will be impacted by high water levels, including:
St. Clair Township:
– Stanley Line east of Kimball Road
– Pretty Road north of McCallum Line
Enniskillen Township:
– Durham Creek Line at Black Ash Line
– Fairweather Road Between Rokeby Line and Shiloh Line
– Fairweather Road between Oil Springs Line and Aberfeldy Line
High water levels impacted different areas in Wallaceburg on Wednesday.
Here are some photos provided to the Sydenham Current by Jennifer Eagleson:
Watch for more on this story.
