By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) has issued a Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook, warning of potential flooding and ice jam risks along the Thames River as spring melt progresses.
A colder-than-usual winter has led to a significant snowpack in the upper Thames River watershed and a thick ice cover in the lower watershed, officials said in a statement issued March 1.
Recent above-freezing temperatures in late February have already melted most of the snow in Essex and Chatham-Kent, with smaller watercourses losing their ice cover. However, a 23 cm ice thickness remains on the Thames River from Chatham to Lighthouse Cove, slightly more than when a major ice jam occurred in 2019.
“The amount of water stored in the snowpack is about 50 per cent higher than the long-term average for this time of year,” officials said. “This increases the risk of significant flooding as the snow melts in the upper watershed.”
Ice jam risks remain high
The combination of melting snow and thick river ice raises concerns about ice jams, which occur when ice chunks break apart, jam together, and block water flow. This can lead to rapid flooding in low-lying areas.
Ice jams can develop anywhere along the Thames River but are most concerning near Lighthouse Cove and between Prairie Siding and Big Creek, where they have historically caused significant flooding. An ice jam in these areas could back up water into Chatham.
Officials say the best-case weather scenario would be a gradual melt, with daytime highs staying below double digits and nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing, combined with little to no rainfall.
Residents urged to be cautious
The LTVCA is urging residents to monitor conditions and be prepared for possible flooding in the coming weeks.
Officials are also reminding the public to stay away from watercourses, as ice and riverbanks can be unstable. Children, pets, and livestock should be kept clear of rivers, ditches, and streams.
This advisory remains in effect until April 1.
For updates, visit ltvca.ca or call 311.
