The riverbanks and streams in the St. Clair region are already full to the brim -- and more water is on the way.
As of Friday morning, the water levels in Lake St. Clair are so high that they are approaching record levels.
The latest reports indicate that the lake's levels are just 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) below record highs.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) has issued a flood watch in response to the rising water levels, adding that the rainfall so far has already resulted in over-bank flooding into floodplain areas.
Localized flooding is expected to continue and expand into low-lying areas Friday night, including agricultural land and parkland.
Several roads could also be affected by high water levels, including:
- Pretty Rd. near Stanley Rd.
- Waubuno Rd. north of Bickford Line
- Black Ash Rd. south of Petrolia Line
- Plowing Match Rd. between Rokeby Line and Petrolia Line
- Fairweather Rd. between Rokeby Line and Shiloh Line
In addition to the flooding concerns, the SCRCA is reminding local residents of the dangers associated with saturated and slippery banks and fast-moving water.
A flood watch also remains in effect in the Lower Thames Valley area with waterways around the Thames River also spilling over their banks.
Officials with the LTVCA say they have already started using the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel to protect Chatham's south end from flooding.
Environment Canada's monitoring station in Ridgetown recorded rainfall amounts of 37 mm (1.46 inches) as of 8am Friday.
The Thames River is expected remain high until the middle of next week.
