The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority issued a safety bulletin and update for the Thames River.
Warming temperatures over the last few days have caused much of the snowpack in the lower Thames watershed to melt and run off into the region’s watercourses.
Some of the region`s smaller watercourses have reached bank full conditions or even topped their banks while others remain low.
In some areas, the ice and snow has made it difficult for water to get off the landscape and localized flooding has occurred.
However, the forecasts for the next few days call for temperatures that drop back beneath freezing overnight. This will slow down the melting.
Water levels on the smaller watercourses will begin to drop, but will likely remain high over the next few days.
The Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel will likely be operated for another few days until water levels are down enough.
Ice cover on the Thames River has degraded even further.
Areas of the river have opened up now and in some places the ice is beginning to drift downstream.
It is no longer safe to access the river for recreational activities.
The Thames River is expected to rise throughout the week as melt water from the upper Thames makes its way downstream.
At this point, flows in the Thames River are not expected to get high enough to cause ice jam related flooding.
People should take extra caution and avoid the river, lakes, ditches, streams, and ponds.
The 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 during this March Break.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will continue to monitor conditions and will issue additional messages as required.
Here is the latest information from the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority as well.
Photo: The Thames River near Chatham
Photo credit: Gail Cook
