Waterways and Ice Cover Hazardous due to Rain and Melting Snow
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) reminds the public to exercise extreme caution around waterways and stay off all frozen water bodies. Any ice cover will be weakened and unstable. The ice on flood control reservoirs, including Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Reservoirs, is especially hazardous due to fluctuating water levels. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, combined with the cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep children and pets away from all watercourses and off of frozen water bodies.
The upper Thames River basin has received 20-40 mm of rain since last evening. The combination of rain and above freezing temperatures overnight and throughout most of today has started melting some of the snowpack.
Streams and rivers have been rising quickly due to the resulting runoff. The UTRCA expects flows in upstream areas of the watershed (Mitchell, Woodstock) to peak late this afternoon. These peaks will move downstream through the river system over this evening. Flows in the London area are expected to peak around midnight tonight.
The UTRCA’s flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas are at seasonal levels and are being operated to reduce any downstream flooding.
The UTRCA does not expect serious flooding at this time, but water may spill over the banks in areas known to traditionally flood, such as riverside parks. Water levels will remain elevated into the weekend.
Snow covered catch basins may create local drainage problem areas. Smaller rural watercourses have been drifted in by snow which can block flows during a runoff event, backing up water onto adjacent lands and causing localized flooding.