Streams and Rivers remain above Normal: Stay Away from Watercourses (media release, January 2, 2023)
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds residents to use extreme caution near all watercourses and to keep children and pets away from rivers, streams, ditches, and ponds. Stream banks are slippery and unstable and the water is cold, fast-moving, and higher than normal. Any ice cover will be weakened and unstable. Flood control reservoirs are especially hazardous due to fluctuating water levels.
A slow moving Colorado Low is forecast to move through southern Ontario over the next three days, bringing continued above freezing temperatures for most of the region, and rain for southwestern Ontario. Forecasts call for 20-40 mm of rain in the Upper Thames River watershed over Tuesday and Wednesday, with higher totals predicted in the southern half of the watershed. The ground conditions are saturated and water levels are already above normal.
The UTRCA expects streams and rivers will respond to the forecast rain with runoff totals similar in magnitude to last week. If the higher precipitation forecasts materialize, some traditional low-lying flood plain areas may be inundated due to saturated ground conditions and already elevated water levels.
The UTRCA expects water levels to be elevated over the remainder of the week but does not expect serious flooding at this time. The UTRCA’s flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas are being operated to reduce downstream flooding.
- See Thames River water levels and flows
- Types of flood bulletins
- Find out how the UTRCA manages floods
Contact: Teresa Hollingsworth, Manager, Community and Corporate Services