The Sydenham River is on the rise.
Officials with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said water levels on the Sydenham River and its tributaries are rising as a result of above normal temperatures and snow melt.
“Over the last 24 hours 25 to 35 mm of rain fell across the region,” SCRCA officials said in a water safety bulletin issued Monday evening at 7:20 p.m. “The Sydenham River and its tributaries are responding with rising water levels.”
SCRCA officials said water levels are expected to rise on the tributaries of the north branch of the Sydenham River, specifically on Black Creek near Bradshaw.
Water levels on the east branch are also increasing moderately at Alvinston and at Florence.
“Localized flooding is occurring at low lying areas, mostly in agricultural and parkland areas,” SCRCA officials said. “All watercourses are expected to be near or over top of bank conditions for the next few days. Many rural areas including fields and floodplains have become saturated resulting in more immediate run off into rivers and streams rapidly raising levels unexpectedly.”
SCRCA officials said in the short term, water levels are expected to rise over the next few days with potentially fast moving flows within watercourses and levels are anticipated to remain high through the week.
Drains and smaller watercourses in upstream areas may also experience localized flooding in some areas especially during rain events.
SCRCA officials said Municipal officials, road superintendents, and Municipal emergency response staff should monitor local conditions closely.
“Residents are reminded to avoid watercourses and potentially flooded areas due to slippery banks, cold and swift moving water,” SCRCA officials said. “Parents in particular are urged to keep their children away from floodplain areas.”
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority will monitor the flood condition of the watersheds in the region and will provide warnings to municipal officials and media in the event conditions develop which could result in the potential of flooding.
This message will remain in effect until Thursday November 27th, unless otherwise updated.
