Low water levels in the lower Thames watershed

Thames River in Chatham-Kent, Ont., on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. (Chris Campbell / CTV Windsor)

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is alerting the public of low water levels in the lower Thames River watershed.

It was deemed a ‘Low Water Level One Condition’ after data was collected at the end of August.

“Under Ontario’s Provincial Low Water Response Program, a level one condition is triggered when a region receives less than 80 per cent of its average rainfall over a three-month period, or when stream flows fall below 70 per cent of typical summer levels,” read a news release from the LTVCA.

The rainfall has been near normal, but the LTVCA said the river is experiencing reduced flows. It said this is because of lower flows coming from the upper Thames watershed, contributing to the low levels downstream.

A Low Water Level One Condition has already been declared upstream.

Water levels west of Chatham are normal. East of Kent Bridge, a low water level warning is also issued.

Landowners along the affected area are reminding to not take any unnecessary water from the river. The LTVCA also alerts any recreational users of the river to use caution while paddling due to risks associated with low water levels.