Spring Melt Begins This Week
Flood Watch
2025 Flood Event 1, Bulletin 2 (Issued March 04, 2025, at 13:00; valid until March 07, 2025, at 14:00)
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) collected watershed snow data on Friday, February 28. This data indicates an average of about 110 mm of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and 30 cm of snow depth in the northern portion of the watershed, and 75 mm of SWE and 20 cm of snow depth in the south. The snowpack is compacted and ripe from last week’s warmer temperatures, and ready to begin releasing water with the upcoming warm temperatures forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. Along with these warm temperatures, there is also 20-30 mm of rain forecast with a potential for an additional 5-10 mm in isolated thunderstorms.
This combination of warming temperatures and rain will begin melting the snowpack, with a significant portion of it being depleted by the end of the week. Water will spill into low lying floodplain areas, parklands, and areas that flood frequently.
Municipal staff are asked to review their flood response plans and to monitor areas that flood frequently, as well as potential problem areas where snow may cover catch basins and prevent proper drainage. Smaller rural watercourses and drains have been drifted in by snow which can block flows during a runoff event, backing up water onto adjacent lands and causing localized flooding.
Locations that have been prone to flooding in past events include:
- Woodstock: Thames River at Dundas Street; Cedar Creek at Southside Park
- Thames Centre: Village of Putnam south of Highway 401; Reynolds Creek – Golden Pond Trailer Park
- East Zorra -Tavistock: Braemar Trailer Park
- Zorra: Ponderosa Trailer Park
- London:
- Waubuno Creek – Travelled Road, River Road
- North Thames River – Windermere and Adelaide Streets; Pumping station and London Hydro substation at west end of Killaly Road
- Parking lot adjacent to McNay Drain in North Thames floodplain behind apartment
- Parking rear of Richmond apartments (across from Bernard Ave)
- City pumping station in Elgin Hall (Western University) parking lot
- Gibbons Park (Victoria Avenue); Harris Park
- Monitor city dyke system
- Pottersburg Creek at Oxford Street (Veterans Memorial Parkway)
- Thames River – Wellington and Front Streets
- Coves trailer park
- Dingman Creek – various locations along Dingman Drive
- Western University: Elgin Hall and Talbot parking lots; Tennis Centre; Westminster residence
- Middlesex Centre: River Bend Academy (Delaware); River Road
- Perth South: Prospect Hill Campground
- West Perth: Motherwell area
- Mitchell: Intersection of St George and Adelaide (south end of Parmalat)
- Stratford: TJ Dolan Drive; Avon Cemetery; Stratford Golf and Country Club
- St Marys: Thomas Street between Park and Queen Streets; Parkview Drive; St. Marys Golf and Country Club; monitor levels at flood wall
The UTRCA flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas are within seasonal range and will be operated to reduce downstream flooding.
The UTRCA is monitoring the situation and will report on any changing conditions as necessary. An update will be provided later in the week as the event progresses.
Residents are reminded to use extreme caution near all watercourses and to stay out of any flooded areas. Any ice cover will be weakened and unstable. Flood control reservoirs are especially hazardous due to fluctuating water levels. Stream banks can be slippery and unstable, and the water is very cold and fast-moving. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from watercourses.
As water levels rise, it is not safe to take shelter along riverbanks or in low lying areas that are prone to flooding.