The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority is keeping an eye on the Thames River since ice is now starting to break up and jam in some locations.
Over the past week, the watershed has seen rainfall combined with warm temperatures and snowmelt. These conditions have raised water levels and weakened the river ice, officials said.
However, levels on smaller local waterways are now dropping and there are no weather events in the forecast that could affect these levels.
“Water levels have yet to peak in London, but they are already higher than what were seen last Friday and should be expected to peak tomorrow,” conservation authority officials stated in a release.
“The peak will then move downstream over the next few days. With the slightly higher flows and the effects of minor ice jamming, there could be some further flooding of the river flats than was seen earlier in the week.”
Flooding of the flats is not expected to be significant. Water levels on the Thames River will remain higher than normal through the weekend.
Officials added that ice cover has begun to break up in some areas and move downstream. Minor ice jams have been seen all along the river into the city of Chatham.
“A larger ice jam appears to be forming around Kent Bridge. These ice jams are causing water levels to rise higher than would usually be expected for the amount of flow in the river,” authority officials stated.
“Water levels and ice conditions will need to watched as further ice jams can cause sudden changes in water levels. Currently, the ice sheet remains intact downstream of Prairie Siding.”
People are urged to use caution around the water.