Highlights:

• Water levels on smaller watercourses are falling.
• The Thames River will continue to rise and flood the river flats from Delaware down to Chatham.
• Ice on the Thames River has cleared out of the river from Chatham and upstream. The remaining broken up ice is moving through the downstream areas of the river. Some of the ice has pushed out into Lake St. Clair. However, there is still quite a bit of ice left to make its way down to the mouth.

Message:

Over the last few days, the Thames River watershed has seen temperatures well above freezing. Together with these warm temperatures, the watershed also received 15-20 mm of rain. The warm temperatures and rain have melted almost all the snow out of the lower Thames River watershed and has also started to melt the much deeper snowpack in the upper Thames River watershed. Forecasts for next few days are calling for temperatures around the freezing point, and little to no precipitation.

As a result of the rain and melting snow, water levels have risen on the region’s smaller watercourses that drain into the Thames River or directly into the lakes. These watercourses have now peaked and are their water levels are dropping. The McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham is currently diverting McGregor Creek flows around the city.

Water levels on the Thames River are still rising due to the rain and snowmelt. Water levels are expected to peak in the City of London later today. The amount of water leaving the upper Thames watershed, together with the remaining runoff from lower Thames watershed will cause flooding of the low-lying river flats adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Chatham. Based on current forecasts, the LTVCA does not expect to have to operate the 6th St. Dam, and flooding in the city of Chatham is expected to be limited to the sidewalk along the river in the downtown, perhaps Simcoe Lane, and other low-lying areas adjacent to the river that tend to flood frequently.

The ice sheet on the Thames River has now broken up along the entire length of the river. Almost all the ice has cleared out of the river through the city of Chatham and the areas upstream of the Chatham. The remaining broken up ice is now moving through the downstream areas around Prairie Siding, Jeanettes Creek and Lighthouse Cove. At Lighthouse Cove, the ice has pushed out into Lake St. Clair. However, there is still quite a bit of ice still in the river and on the move that still needs to make its way down to the mouth. Ice conditions around the mouth at Lighthouse Cove should be monitored until the remaining ice pushes out into Lake. St. Clair. The cooler temperatures predicted over the next few days may solidify the ice in the lake and make it harder for the river ice to push out.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks, broken or unstable ice and fast-moving cold water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards. Children and 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 11, 2025.

Contact: Jason Wintermute ([email protected])