Date: 9:30 P.M., Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Issued to: Municipal Flood Coordinators of Municipalities, Media

Issued by: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

In the last week, the Thames watershed received between 35 and 60 mm of rain. The ground is saturated from all this recent rain and has little capacity to absorb any more. Rainfall predictions for late tonight and tomorrow are calling for an additional 25 to 40 mm of rain in the Lower Thames watershed, possibly more in the Upper Thames watershed.

This predicted additional rainfall will run off quickly into the region’s many smaller, local watercourses.  Water levels on these watercourses are in decline but most still remain high.  Many of these watercourses can be expected to rise and spill their banks again.  This is especially true for those being influenced by high water levels on the Thames River such as Indian and McGregor Creeks around the City of Chatham. The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will continue operating the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel.

Currently, water levels on the Thames River throughout the Lower watershed remain elevated but are declining slowly.  However, the predicted rain will boost water levels throughout the Thames River again.  Depending on the rainfall amounts received, water levels may rise higher than those observed previously this week.  As rainfall works it way downstream from the Upper watershed, water levels can be expected to remain high into next week. From Delaware down to Chatham flooding should be limited to those low lying, agriculturally dominated, river flats.

In the City of Chatham, water levels on the Thames River are still elevated and can be expected to receive an additional boost due to the predicted rain.  It is difficult to say at this point how high the Thames River may rise in the city.  In any case, the downtown sidewalk along the river should be expected to remain flooded into next week.  Those businesses on King St. that back into the Thames River should be keeping an eye on the situation. The LTVCA prepared the the 6th Street Dam for operations a couple days ago.

People 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 its own unseen hazards.  Children, pets and livestock 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 April 4th, 2016.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) (519-354-7310 x227) regarding this message.