London-area residents are being told to use extreme caution around waterways and stay off of the ice in the wake of a winter warm up and storm earlier this week.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) issued an advisory warning that any ice will now be weakened and unstable.
"The ice on flood control reservoirs, including Fanshawe, Pittock, and Wildwood Reservoirs, is especially hazardous due to fluctuating water levels," the conservation authority said in a statement. "Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, combined with the cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep children and pets away from all watercourses and off of frozen water bodies."
Since Wednesday night, the upper Thames River basin received 20-40 mm of rain. That combined with melting snow has caused water levels across the region to rise dramatically over a 24 hours period. Water levels were expected to peak around midnight Thursday.
"The UTRCA does not expect serious flooding at this time, but water may spill over the banks in areas known to traditionally flood, such as riverside parks. Water levels will remain elevated into the weekend," the conservation authority said.
Flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock conservation areas are being operated to reduce any flooding downstream.
