Highlights:

• The ice jam that had formed at the mouth of the Thames River at Lighthouse Cove is now gone.
• The Thames River will continue to rise and flood the river flats from Delaware down to Chatham
• Water levels on smaller watercourses are falling.

Message:

Earlier this week, the Thames River watershed saw temperatures well above freezing, and 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 the next couple of days are calling for temperatures around the freezing point, and little to no precipitation.

Water levels on the Thames River in the lower Thames watershed are still rising due to the rain and snowmelt. Water levels are currently peaking in the City of London. 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. Water levels on the river should be expected to remain elevated into early next week. 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. Water levels on smaller watercourses that drain into the Thames River, or to the lakes, have now peaked and are dropping. The McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham is currently diverting McGregor Creek flows around the city.

The ice sheet on the Thames River has now broken up and cleared out along the entire length of the river. The ice jam that had formed at the mouth of the river at Lake St. Clair and the community of Lighthouse Cove has now pushed out into the lake. There is no longer enough ice in the river to create another ice jam. The risk of ice jams and ice jam related flooding has passed for this winter.

People should still 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])