WATERSHED CONDITIONS STATEMENT – WATER SAFETY / FLOOD OUTLOOK
(Issued March 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm; Valid until March 13, 2020)
The majority of the snowpack has melted and this water is moving through the watershed. This runoff, when added to the 15 – 20 mm of rainfall received overnight and this morning, is causing flooding in low-lying flood prone areas.
Water levels are expected to peak in streams and creeks in the upstream areas of the watershed this afternoon and this evening. Peaks are expected in the Thames River in London during the day on Wednesday. An additional 15 mm of rain is forecast on Thursday and water levels are expected to stay high for the remainder of the week.
Although the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) does not anticipate any significant flooding at this time, municipal flood coordinators are advised to watch for bank full conditions and nuisance flooding in traditional floodplain areas such as Harris and Gibbons Parks in London.
The public is encouraged to exercise extreme caution around all local ditches, streams and rivers, and to stay off of frozen water bodies and flood control reservoirs. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all waterways.
The UTRCA’s flood control reservoir at Fanshawe is being operated to reduce downstream flooding and the reservoirs at Wildwood and Pittock Conservation Areas have begun the seasonal filling cycle. UTRCA officials are monitoring the situation, and will report on any changing conditions if necessary.
See Thames River water level information
Contact: Eleanor Heagy, Communications Specialist