Three more conservation authorities in midwestern Ontario are warning of possible flooding as mild temperatures melt snow that has piled up over the winter.
Saugeen Conservation, Grey Sauble Conservation, and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation authorities all anticipate rivers and streams to reach or exceed their banks over the coming days. This will be made worse by rain that is expected to this weekend.
Low-lying areas could potentially flood and some minor ice jams are possible. Ausable Bayfield Conservation stated the potential for ice jams is limited to lower portions of the Ausable and Bayfield rivers, including the river mouth areas of Port Franks, Bayfield, and, to a lesser extent, Grand Bend.
No significant flooding is anticipated by any of the conservation authorities at this time.
"Residents are encouraged to secure property around watercourses and remain alert to changing river conditions," Saugeen Conservation said. "The public is also reminded to exercise extreme caution near all watercourses. Stream flows are expected to become strong and hazardous, and riverbanks may be unstable due to melting snow. Ice conditions also remain unpredictable and should be considered unsafe.
That word of caution was echoed by Grey Sauble Conservation and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation authorities.
Municipal staff and residents across the region are being encouraged to clear culverts, storm drains, and drainage pathways where possible ahead of the melt.
Maitland Valley Conservation Authority issued a similar warning earlier this week about potential flooding due to the winter warm-up.
The conservation authorities have stated that they will be monitoring the conditions through the weekend.
