Highlights:

• Thames River is now peaking around Thames Rd / Currie Rd through Middlesex and Elgin Counties
• Late this afternoon, the LTVCA expects to start operation of the Sixth Street Dam and Pump Station in the City of Chatham in order to prevent the Thames River from flooding the south side of Chatham.
• Basement flooding of businesses along King Street in downtown Chatham is expected.
• Flooding of Siskind Court in the City of Chatham is possible.
• Flooding in Thamesville is not expected.
• Flooding in Lighthouse Cove is not expected.

Message:

Heavy rains over the weekend have caused flooding on the Thames River for the third winter in a row. The peak flow in the Thames River is now around Thames Road (Southwest Middlesex) and Currie Road (Dutton Dunwich). Water levels upstream are dropping, but they are expected to continue rising downstream for a couple more days. All along the lower Thames River, water has spilled out into the flood flats and water levels are high at the outlets of local ditches and creeks. In Chatham, the Diversion Channel Dam is currently closed as flood waters from the Thames River have backed up the Diversion all the way past its inlet and into McGregor Creek upstream.

Peak flows on the Thames River have dropped substantially as they moved downstream. They are no longer expected to impact major roads or bridge crossings. Peak flows are expected to pass by Thamesville late Wednesday afternoon or evening but are not expected to impact the community. Peak flows are expected to reach Chatham late overnight Wednesday or Thursday morning.

There is currently some uncertainty as to what areas may get flooded in Chatham as peak flows are still a couple days out. High water levels on Lake St. Clair are also having an impact on Thames River water levels in the city. Water levels in the city are expected to rise another 50 cm to 1 m by the time the peak passes through the city. Current predictions suggest water levels could reach those similar to the flooding that occurred in 1982. Basement flooding should be expected for those businesses along King Street that back onto the Thames River in the downtown core. There is also a risk of low level flooding on Siskind Court, and a slight risk of low level flooding in the Chatham Street, Salter Street and William Street at Water Street area.

Downstream of Chatham, flood waters are not expected to be a problem in Lighthouse Cove unless a strong wind event occurs that would otherwise also cause shoreline flooding.

Late this afternoon the LTVCA expects to begin operating the Sixth Street Dam at the mouth of McGregor Creek in downtown Chatham. The Dam’s closure and the associated pumping operations prevent the Thames River from backing up McGregor and Indian Creeks and flooding nearby properties on the south side of the City of Chatham.

Residents and businesses with properties that back onto watercourses and the river should secure their properties and remove any items that could be damaged by flooding or get loose and become floating debris. Attempts should also be made to ensure that catch basins and other drainage works are free of debris and can function properly.

The public should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams. The combination of slippery banks and fast moving cold water can be dangerous. Standing water can also present unseen hazards. Children and animals should be kept away from the water.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.

This message will be in effect until January 17,  2020.

Message Contact: LTVCA Administration Office (519-354-7310) or [email protected]