Water levels on Thames River dropping

Some localized flooding downstream may occur as result of weekend deluge

CHATHAM Peak flows on the Thames River have been dropping substantially as they move downstream, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority said Tuesday.

Officials, however, continue to closely monitor the situation, as water levels are still expected to rise downstream for a couple more days, with the possibility of localized flooding in some areas.

Heavy rains over the weekend led to increased levels in the upper and lower stretches of the river in recent days.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Thames was peaking around Thames Road and Currie Road through Middlesex and Elgin

(The flows) are no longer expected to impact major roads or bridge crossings.

counties.

“(The flows) are no longer expected to impact major roads or bridge crossings,” the conservation authority stated.

Peak flows are expected to pass by Thamesville late Wednesday but are not expected to impact the community. Peak flows were expected to reach Chatham overnight Wednesday or Thursday morning.

“There is currently some uncertainty as to what areas may get flooded in Chatham as peak flows are still a couple days out,” the authority said.

Basement flooding of businesses along King Street in downtown Chatham is expected while the flooding of Siskind Court is possible.

The conservation authority expected to start operating the Sixth Street dam and pump station to prevent the river from flooding the south side of Chatham. All along the lower stretch of the river, water has spilled into the flood flats, and levels are high at the outlets of local ditches and creeks.

In Chatham, the diversion channel dam is currently closed, as flood waters have backed up the diversion all the way past its inlet and into Mcgregor Creek upstream.

High water levels on Lake St. Clair are also having an impact on river levels. Water levels in the city are expected to rise another 50 centimetres to one metre by the time the peak passes through.

Downstream in Lighthouse Cove, flood waters are not expected to be a problem unless a strong wind event occurs that would otherwise also cause shoreline flooding.

ELLWOOD SHREVE Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority staff Jason Homewood, left, and Paul Kominek assess the Sixth Street dam area near the Mcgregor’s Creek mouth at the Thames River in Chatham Monday.