Significant flooding along the Thames River in London

Officials say the Thames River reached its peak on Wednesday, but water levels are expected to remain high for the next two to four days.

Eleanor Heagy, with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), says the river will now slowly recede to its usual level, but it’ll take time partly because reservoirs need to release the water they’ve been storing.

“We fill them up like bath tubs,” Heagy explained.

“Then we can release the water past the dam… the goal is to reduce the amount of water passing through the dams so we reduce the amount of flooding that’s downstream.”

The UTRCA credits the Fanshawe Dam and reservoir for reducing the peak flows on the northern part of the Thames River by one-third; with 850 cubic metres flowing in per second, and just 550 cubic metres flowing out. Heagy says it’s the most water they’ve had going through the dam since 1963.

“It’s been quite a few years since we had this much water going through,” she laughed.

For those trying to travel throughout the city however, road closures caused by flooding have likely been no laughing matter. The city re-opened some lanes, but several closures remained in effect on Wednesday evening:

RE-OPENED:

• Two southbound lanes of Wonderland Road, between Springbank Drive and Riverside Drive
• An eastbound and westbound lane of Riverside Drive, between Woodward and Wharncliffe Road, however, curb lanes will remain closed due to water.
• Hamilton Road between Commissioners Road and Clarke Road
• Empress Avenue between Argyle Street and Blackfriars Street
• Windermere Road between Doon Drive and Adelaide Street North
• Westminster Road, east of Wonderland Road
• Cavendish Crescent
• Wyatt Street

CLOSED:

• Walnut Street
• Dingman Road between Old Victoria Street and Highbury Road

London’s manager of sewer operations, Rick Pedlow, told 980 CFPL that getting roads back open is a priority — but he wasn’t able to provide a timeline as for when Londoners can expect the city’s roads to be fully functional once again.

He says some water levels are starting to drop a little, and he’s reminding residents to be patient.

“Water just doesn’t disappear very quickly, so it’ll take time for the waters to recede, even though we’ve seen the peak come through the city of London.”

If not for the Fanshawe Dam and reservoir, Heagy says the water may have flown over the dykes that protect Labatt Park and the Blackfriars neighbourhood.

“I live on the lower level and I’m nervous,” said Jennifer Hill, as she rushed to her Blackfriars home on her lunch break on Wednesday.

“I’m heading home to ensure that my basement’s not flooded.”