Date: 10:30 a.m., Sunday, April 3, 2016

Issued to: Municipal Flood Coordinators of Municipalities, Media

Issued by: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

Since March 24th, the Thames River watershed received between 50 and 100 mm of rain.  The rain was spread out with significant amounts of rainfall occurring every few days.  This has kept water levels high in the Lower Thames watershed for an extended period of time.  Water levels were boosted above what is usually expected for those individually sized rainfall events as rainfall was occurring when the river levels were already elevated from previous rainfall events.   Rainfall forecasts, depending on the source, are calling for another 2-7 mm of rainfall today in the form of mixed precipitation and another 5-15 mm of rain on Wednesday.

The Thames River at Dutton peaked overnight and is expected to peak in Thamesville this evening.   Water levels have risen enough to cause flooding in the low lying, dominantly agricultural, river flats adjacent to the Thames River and those areas traditionally impacted by high levels on the river.  In the downstream areas where water levels have not peaked yet, water levels are not expected to rise more than another half meter, without any additional rain.

In the City of Chatham, water levels on the Thames River are expected to peak on Monday.  Without any additional rainfall, water levels on theriver can be expected to rise no more than another 30 cm.  Those businesses on King St. that back onto the Thames River should not have to worry about flooding from the Thames River.  The sidewalk in downtown Chatham that runs along the river can be expected to remain flooded over for another few days after the river  peaks.  The LTVCA prepared the 6th Street Dam for operations last week but did not have to operate it, and does not expect to have to operate it.

Water levels on the smaller local watercourses are now declining.  However, some still remain high.  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.

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 8th, 2016.

Contact:  Jason Wintermute ([email protected]) regarding this message.