Officials continue to keep a close watch on the Thames River, which continues to rise after heavy rainfall this past week.
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The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said several weather systems moved through the region over the last few days, bringing 40 to 60 mm of rain and melting most of the snow out of the watershed.
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On Saturday, flooded sidewalks could be seen along the river in downtown Chatham, as well as other low-lying areas.
Weather forecasts are calling for small amounts of rain for the next few days.
“In Chatham, water levels on the Thames continue to rise in response to our local rainfall,” officials said in their latest update.
“Water levels will continue to rise and flooding of the basements along King Street in the downtown should be expected. At this time, there is not expected to be flooding of the residential areas along the river.”
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Operation of the Sixth Street dam and pumping station was expected over the weekend.
Levels are also expected to remain high into the middle of this week. Further updates may be required as upstream waters gather in London and move downstream.
“The rain caused many of the smaller watercourses in the lower Thames watershed to rise and some spilled their banks into adjacent low-lying areas,” officials added.
“These watercourses have now peaked, and water levels are beginning to drop. Areas of ponding, standing water and localized flooding should be expected to stick around for a few more days as the water slowly drains away.”
Where these smaller waterways exit into the Thames River, levels should remain high into this coming week, as upstream waters make their way down the river. The McGregor Creek diversion channel in Chatham is currently in operation.
As the upstream flows make their way downstream, further flooding of the river flats should be anticipated. However, flooding of the upper tablelands is not expected, officials said.
The river ice has started to break up and move downstream. Before this, there appeared to be about 10 cm of ice on the river, officials said.
“While the LTVCA has no record of a significant ice jam forming with so little ice on the river, small ice jams could form and impact water levels,” they added.
People are reminded to be cautious and avoid the rivers, ditches and streams, due to cold and fast-moving water.
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