Flooding along Huron Rd.
Flooding was reported along parts of the Thames River on Wednesday after heavy rain and melting snow, resulting in increased water levels.
About 10 millimetres of rain was recorded at London International Airport early on, and additional bands of showers pushed rainfall totals in the region to between 20 and 40 millimetres, according to Environment Canada.
“We’ve been seeing some localized flooding throughout the watershed, especially over the weekend when we got really high amounts of rain mixed with that snow that was melting and running off,” said Emily Chandler, communications and marketing specialist with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.
Chandler said water levels had declined slightly earlier in the week but rose again as the latest rainfall moved through the region.
“We do think overall water levels will go up and that localized flooding will be present,” she said.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has been operating several dams to help control water levels across the watershed, including the Fanshawe Dam in London.
The reservoir at Fanshawe has reduced downstream flows by about 45 per cent, helping limit the severity of flooding in the city.
Flood alert signs were place on a bridge leading to Western University due to the rise in water levels.
Additional dams at Piddock Conservation Area in Woodstock and Wildwood Conservation Area near St. Marys were also operating as water levels remained elevated following recent precipitation.
Thunderstorms included in the forecast could complicate water level predictions because heavy rainfall can occur quickly and in localized areas.
“Thunderstorms are tricky to predict because they’re a very quick occurrence of rainfall and they’re very localized,” Chandler said.
The conservation authority monitors stream gauges throughout the watershed, but sudden storms can still cause rapid changes in water levels.
Chandler said homeowners can also take longer-term steps to reduce runoff on their properties.
“We always recommend that people plant trees and increase the amount of natural plants that they have on their property to help slow down that runoff and absorb more of that water,” she said.
Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson said the unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue as southern Ontario transitions toward spring.
Bridge located behind Western University, often frequented by students and hospital staff.
“This battle between springtime trying to assert itself with warmer air masses and colder Arctic air masses still playing a part in our weather is something we’ll be dealing with over the next week to 10 days,” Coulson said.
