It has been a long cold winter but more seasonable conditions are on the way. Environment Canada is forecasting high temperatures above zero for the next week but slightly below zero for overnight lows. “This maple syrup type weather is just we need to slowly reduce the snow pack and start the melt of river ice,” said Girish Sankar, Manager of Water Resources for the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. “Across the watershed there is a lot of water lying on the ground in the form of snow. We range from about 55 mm to 90 mm (2 in. – 3.5 in.) of water ready to enter the soil and watercourses,” Sankar explained. Thick ice is still an issue on lower portions of the Sydenham River with ice thickness exceeding 40 cm (15 in.). When this ice breaks up, ice jams are very possible and could result in flooding above the jams.

There are also some important benefits to our cold snowy winter. The water in the form of snow can help to replenish soil moisture, ground water and wetlands. The speed of the melt will determine how much water infiltrates the ground and how much water runs off into drains and rivers. The deep snow pack may also contribute to increasing lake levels as water stored on the land makes its way into the Great Lakes over the spring and summer.

The Conservation Authority continues to monitor watershed conditions and will issue advisories should flood issues arise. As we move into the spring melt season, residents are reminded to avoid watercourses and flooded areas due to slippery banks, cold and swift moving water and deteriorating ice. Parents in particular are urged to keep their children away from floodplain areas.