The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said the region’s watercourses are finally beginning to respond to the recent warming of temperatures, but no flooding is expected.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said flooding is not expected on the Sydenham River either.
Here is our story from earlier in the week: ‘Favourable conditions’ entering into spring melt
LTVCA officials said daytime high temperatures for the weekend are expected to approach 10ËšC and probably not drop back below freezing overnight.
In addition, a small amount of rainfall, around 3 mm is being predicted.
This will cause flows in the region’s local watercourses to begin to rise.
However, flooding of the watercourses is not expected over the weekend.
LTVCA officials said ice cover on the Thames River is still largely intact throughout the river; however, there are stretches that are opening up.
All along the river, warm water inputs from local drainage and storm sewers have melted the ice along the banks making accessing the river for recreational activities dangerous.
While there is still a significant thickness of ice at the mouth of the Thames, the quality of the river ice is expected to degrade over the next few days.
There is still quite a bit of snow across the watershed that will be melting over the weekend.
Some of the region’s smaller watercourses have lost their ice cover while others may still be filled with snow and ice.
These conditions could lead to localized flooding as water may have a difficult time draining off the landscape.
Flowing watercourses hidden under the snowpack can also present a danger.
People should take extra caution and avoid the river, lakes, ditches, streams, and ponds.
Ice conditions are poor or degrading and a combination of slippery banks, moving/melting ice and cold water is particularly dangerous.
Parents should pay special attention to keep their children away from the water.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and will issue additional messages as required.
