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UTRCA Watershed Flood Bulletins - Archives

Watershed Responding to Intense Over Night Thundershowers

Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety (issued May 29, 2013 at 9:30 am)

A series of thundershowers passed over the Upper Thames River watershed late in the day yesterday and into the early hours of today. Some isolated areas have received unconfirmed totals of between 90 and 134 mm of rain in the past 24 hours, with the average amount received across the watershed closer to 50 mm.

The ground has had ample opportunity to dry out since the last major precipitation events, and much of this rain will be absorbed into the ground. However, water levels in streams and rivers are rising and may possibly approach bank full conditions in isolated areas. People are warned to stay away from fast moving water.

Forecasts currently predict no significant rain until Saturday, when 10 – 20 mm is forecast with the potential for thundershowers.

The flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Areas are at seasonal levels.

Water Levels to remain elevated over Weekend

Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety (issued April 19, 2013 at 1:30 pm)

Precipitation over the past two days has been localized, ranging from 30-40 mm in the northern part of the Upper Thames River watershed, to 10-20 mm in the southern part. The watershed is already saturated from all of the rain over the last week or more. As a result, watercourses are very responsive to even these moderate rainfall amounts.

Water levels in rivers, streams, ditches and ponds are above normal and may remain elevated over the weekend. Serious flooding is not anticipated at this time.

People are reminded that stream banks are very slippery and that water continues to be fast-moving, cold and dangerous. Debris in the water poses additional threats. People are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the effects of flooding downstream.

Boating Ban in the City of London CANCELLED

Special Bulletin (issued April 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm)

The Thames River within the City of London has receded to below the Boating Ban threshold levels.

Water Levels to Remain High over Weekend and into Next Week

Watershed Conditions Statement: Water Safety (issued April 13, 2013 at 12:15 pm)

Precipitation totals for the past week range from 60 mm to 110 mm across the Upper Thames watershed. Most areas have received between 60 mm and 80 mm.

Water levels in the North and South Branches of the Thames have peaked. Elevated water levels will continue throughout the weekend and into next week, keeping low lying areas and some park lands that have been flooding this week, under water.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the downstream effects of flooding, and retain significant flood storage capacity. Levels are being dropped to prepare for more forecast rain next week.

See current Thames River flow and meteorological information.

Water Levels Will Remain High

Flood Watch (issued April 12, 2013 at 1:30 pm)

The Upper Thames River watershed received 10 - 20 mm of precipitation overnight and into this morning. The overnight precipitation fell as ice pellets and freezing rain in the northern portions of the watershed. No significant amounts of rainfall are expected for the remainder of today and tomorrow. Precipitation totals for the week range from 60 mm to 110 mm across the watershed. Most areas have received between 60 mm and 80 mm.

Water levels in the North and South Branches of the Thames are expected to rise in response to the rain, and as the ice melts and runs off into tributaries and into the river. Elevated water levels will continue throughout the weekend and into next week, keeping low lying areas and some park lands that have been flooding this week, under water.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the downstream effects of flooding, and retain significant flood storage capacity.

Conditions are being monitored and updates will be issued as the event progresses. Municipal Flood Coordinators are encouraged to review their flood contingency plans.

Flood Watch Update - Continuing Wet Forecast

Flood Watch (issued April 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm)

The Upper Thames River watershed received between 45 mm to 90 mm of rain so far this week, with 10 – 25 mm received in the last 12 hours, depending upon location. Forecasts vary from 20 mm to 40 mm of additional rainfall by tomorrow morning.

If these forecasts materialize, potential areas that may flood in the late hours of tonight and into tomorrow include the following:

City of Woodstock: Thames River at Highway 2; Cedar Creek at Southside Park
Thames Centre: Village of Putnam South of Hwy 401; Reynolds Creek - Golden Pond Trailer Park
East Zorra -Tavistock: Braemar Trailer Park
Zorra: Ponderosa Trailer Park
City of London:
- Waubuno Creek - Travelled Road, River Road
- North Thames River - Windermere and Adelaide Streets, Gibbons Park (Victoria Avenue), Harris Park including the Nancy Campbell Institute parking area
- Dingman Creek at Dingman Drive
- Pottersburg Creek at Oxford Street (Veterans Memorial Parkway)
- Thames River - Wellington and Front Streets
- Mud Creek at Oxford Street (opposite Beaverbrook Avenue)
University of Western Ontario: Medway parking lot, Tennis Centre
Middlesex Centre: River Road; former Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School site
Perth South: Prospect Hill Campground
West Perth: Motherwell area (Trafalgar bridge)
City of Stratford: Dolan Drive; Avon Cemetery; Stratford Golf and Country Club
Town of St. Marys: Thomas Street between Park and Queen Streets; Parkview Drive; St. Marys Golf and Country Club

Minor localized flooding is occurring throughout the watershed and many low flood plain areas, including some park lands, are currently under water. People are reminded that stream banks are very slippery and that water will be fast-moving, cold and dangerous. People are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the downstream effects of flooding, with approximately 84%, 32% and 75% of flood storage capacity still remaining, respectively.

Conditions are being monitored and updates will be issued as the event progresses. Municipal Flood Coordinators are encouraged to review their flood contingency plans.

Continuing Wet Forecast

Flood Watch (issued April 10, 2013 at 2:30 pm)

The Upper Thames River watershed received between 35 mm to 60 mm of rain so far this week. Forecasts vary from 35 mm to 100 mm of additional rainfall by Friday, with most forecasts predicting approximately 60 mm.

If these forecasts materialize, expect flooding to occur in the following areas:

City of Woodstock: Thames River at Highway 2; Cedar Creek at Southside Park
Thames Centre: Village of Putnam South of Hwy 401; Reynolds Creek - Golden Pond Trailer Park
East Zorra -Tavistock: Braemar Trailer Park
Zorra: Ponderosa Trailer Park
City of London:
- Waubuno Creek - Travelled Road, River Road
- North Thames River - Windermere and Adelaide Streets, Gibbons Park (Victoria Avenue), Harris Park including the Nancy Campbell Institute parking area
- Dingman Creek at Dingman Drive
- Pottersburg Creek at Oxford Street (Veterans Memorial Parkway)
- Thames River - Wellington and Front Streets
- Mud Creek at Oxford Street (opposite Beaverbrook Avenue)
University of Western Ontario: Medway parking lot, Tennis Centre
Middlesex Centre: River Road; former Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School site
Perth South: Prospect Hill Campground
West Perth: Motherwell area (Trafalgar bridge)
City of Stratford: Dolan Drive; Avon Cemetery; Stratford Golf and Country Club
Town of St. Marys: Thomas Street between Park and Queen Streets; Parkview Drive; St. Marys Golf and Country Club

People are reminded that stream banks are very slippery and that water will be fast-moving, cold and dangerous. People are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the downstream effects of flooding, with approximately 90%, 40% and 80% of flood storage capacity still remaining, respectively.

Conditions are being monitored and updates will be issued as the event unfolds. Municipal Flood Coordinators are encouraged to review their flood contingency plans in anticipation of this event.

City of London Boating Ban

Special Bulletin (issued April 10, 2013 at 3:00 pm)

The Thames River within the City of London has reached the level for a boating ban. The City of London Police may implement the ban and inform the media. Water levels will remain elevated over the weekend and into next week.

Heavy Rain in Forecast

Watershed Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook (issued April 9, 2013 at 4 pm)

The Upper Thames River watershed received between 5 and 10 mm of rain yesterday and into the early hours of today. Environment Canada has issued a Rainfall Warning, predicting 50 to 80 mm of rainfall by Thursday in the London and Oxford County areas. Rain will be heavy at times, with isolated thunderstorms also expected. Other forecasts estimate totals ranging from 85 mm to 105 mm by the end of Friday. There is some uncertainty as to the form precipitation will take after Thursday, with a possibility of receiving snow or freezing rain, rather than rain.

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority expects low lying areas that traditionally flood to be inundated beginning Thursday PM, and for water to remain high over the upcoming weekend.

People are reminded that stream banks are very slippery and that water will be fast-moving, cold and dangerous. People are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses.

Reservoirs at Fanshawe (London), Wildwood (St. Marys) and Pittock (Woodstock) are being operated to reduce the downstream effects of flooding, and retain more than 95%, 40% and 80% of flood storage capacity, respectively.

Conditions are being monitored and updates will be issued as the event unfolds. Municipal Flood Coordinators are encouraged to review their flood contingency plans in anticipation of this event.

Rain Forecast Throughout This Week

Watershed Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook (issued April 8, 2013 at 4 pm)

Rain and warm temperatures are predicted in the Upper Thames watershed throughout this week. Forecasts vary from a total of 70 - 100 mm of rain beginning today and ending on Friday. Water levels are expected to rise over the next few days, and low lying floodplain areas will be inundated.

The severity of flooding will depend largely on the intensity of the rainfall. A longer, gentler rain will produce less runoff, and a short, intense rain and or thundershowers will produce significantly more. Fortunately, most of the snow in the watershed has already melted and this will not be a factor in the upcoming event.

People are reminded that stream banks are very slippery and that water will be fast-moving, cold and dangerous. People are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from watercourses.

Conditions are being monitored and updates will be issued as the event unfolds. Municipal flood coordinators are encouraged to review their flood contingency plans in anticipation of this event.