Flood Watch April 6, 2025

Flood Watch

Thames River and smaller watercourses

Date: 1:00 P.M., Sunday, April 6, 2025

Issued to: Municipal Flood Coordinators of Municipalities, Media

Issued by: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority

Highlights:

•           Thames River is currently flooding the low-lying river flats from Delaware down to Chatham.

•           Thames River peaked around Dutton early yesterday afternoon.  Water levels are now dropping throughout most of Middlesex and Elgin.

•           Thames River around Thamesville is expected to peak this evening, and in Chatham tomorrow morning.

•           Water levels in the city of Chatham could still rise another 25 to 35 cm to their peak.

Message:

Earlier this week, the Thames River watershed saw around 35 to 55 mm of rain, with some areas reporting higher amounts due to thunderstorm activity.  That rain caused the Thames River and other watercourses to spill their banks into adjacent floodplain areas.  The Thames River peaked in London Thursday evening, and around Dutton early yesterday afternoon.  Water levels are now dropping throughout most of Middlesex and Elgin.  The Thames River peak is now expected to arrive in the Thamesville area this evening, somewhat later than earlier predicted.  The peak in Chatham is now expected tomorrow morning.  

While water levels already are high in the Thamesville area, flooding of the community from the river is not expected.  Water levels in the creeks and drains that pass through the community could still rise higher due to water backing up from the Thames River.

In Chatham, river levels could still rise another 25 to 35 centimetres to their peak.  The LTVCA has not yet started operating the 6th St. Dam but expects to later today.  The sidewalk along the river in the downtown and Simcoe Lane are already flooded.  Water has already gotten up into many properties that back onto the river.  As the Thames River is still expected to rise, some additional flooding in these areas should be expected.  After the peak arrives, water levels on the river should be expected to remain high into the middle of the week.      

Most of the region’s smaller watercourses that drain into the Thames River have seen their water levels drop back to near normal levels.  However, with the Thames River being high, the downstream areas of these watercourses should be expected to remain high due to water backing up from the river.  The McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham is currently filled with water backed up from the river.  

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 and pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.

Contact your municipality if flooding is observed.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and update this advisory if necessary.

This message will be in effect until April 8, 2025.

Message Contact:  Jason Wintermute (jason.wintermute@ltvca.ca)