Highlights:

• An ice jam has formed at the mouth of the Thames River at Lighthouse Cove.
• 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:

Over the last few days, the Thames River watershed has seen 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 next few days are calling for temperatures around the freezing point, and little to no precipitation.

Water levels on the Thames River 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. 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 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 along the entire length of the river. That ice has now cleared out of the upstream areas and worked its way down to the mouth of the Thames River at Lake St. Clair and the community of Lighthouse Cove. Some of the ice has managed to push out into the lake. However, not all the ice was able to push out and an ice jam has formed at the mouth of the river. There is also some additional ice still working its way downstream towards the ice jam. Ice conditions around the mouth at Lighthouse Cove will need to be monitored over the next few days as higher flows from upstream work their way down to the mouth. The possibility exists that with higher flows the ice jam may cause some flooding. Should flooding occur, residents should contact their local municipality, the Municipality of Lakeshore or the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

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. The ice jam is particularly dangerous and should be avoided.

Contact your municipality if flooding is observed.

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])