A flood watch has been issued by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.
On Thursday evening the Lower Thames Valley watershed received a very large amount of rainfall over a very short time period.
Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. the Chatham precipitation gauges measured over 15mm of rainfall bringing the total rainfall since noon to over 30 mm.
Such large amounts of rainfall over a very short period of time will run off the land very quickly causing the region’s smaller local watercourses to respond quickly.
Those watercourses will rise quickly and some may run bank full or even spill their banks.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority has not issued any notices regarding the Sydenham River from Wallaceburg to Dresden.
Their website states that normal conditions are being experienced at the moment.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority expects to be operating their Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel early this morning.
Water levels on the Thames River will rise, but they are not expected to rise enough to flood the river flats adjacent to the Thames River.
People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, streams, and ponds.
The combination of slippery banks and fast moving cold water can be dangerous Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards.
Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.
Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.
This message will be in effect until March 26th, 2016.
