Heavy equipment has been brought in to remove ice blockages that have elevated the risk of flooding from the Saugeen River in Durham.
The Saugeen Conservation Authority has upgraded a flood outlook statement issued for the Municipality of West Grey to a flood watch. This comes as frazil ice has been collecting in the channel downstream of the Durham Lower Dam, causing water levels to gradually rise in the area since Monday.
"A partial blockage of the channel is also present between the Durham Upper Dam and Durham Middle Dam, creating rapidly changing conditions below McGowan Falls," the conservation authority said in a statement. "Frazil ice production is expected to continue for the next several days."
Frazil ice is a natural winter occurrence in Ontario rivers, which occurs when open water meets cold air. The Durham area is especially prone to these conditions, the conservation authority noted.
Staff from both the conservation authority and the municipality are monitoring the situation.
The public is being asked to avoid the Main Saugeen River between the Durham Lower Dam and the community ball diamonds as work is underway to remove the blockages in the channel. The Durham Upper Dam walkway, the trail between the Upper Dam and Middle Dam, and Lower Dam walkway have been closed as a public safety precaution.
The flood watch will remain in place until next Tuesday afternoon, unless otherwise updated, the conservation authority added.
