‘Little risk’ of Thames ice jam moving

The ice jam remains in place on the Thames River and it is not likely it will be moving for a while, according to a watershed conditions safety bulletin, issued Friday by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority. Weather conditions will play a big part in the ice jam remaining near the mouth of Thames River at Lighthouse Cove, according the conservation authority. Forecasts are calling for temperatures to remain below freezing into late next week, while longrange forecasts are only calling for a few days with temperatures above freezing and only a few millimetres of rain.

“Based on the current conditions, there appears to be little risk of the ice jam moving,” the authority said in its bulletin. Water levels have fallen significantly on the river and current flows seem to be safely passing underneath the jam, the authority said.

The ice is mostly gone between the jam and the lake and the ice on the lake does not seem to be stable. Cold temperatures over the next few weeks would only be expected to put five to 10 centimetres of new ice on the river.

Through the area of the ice jam, water levels are now approaching Lake St. Clair levels with water levels near the bridge at Prairie Siding being less than half a metre above those on the lake.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said people should still take extra caution and avoid the river. The banks of the river are very slippery from mud and leftover ice. The remaining ice on the river is not stable. Children and pets should be kept away from the water and ice.