Local conservation officials are keeping close tabs on area waterways with more rain in the forecast.

According to the St Clair Region Conservation Authority, some areas could see as much as 50 mm of rain over the next few days thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Pamela, and with winds gusting to close to 60 kilometres an hour, that could cause some minor flooding.

Residents along Lake St Clair and Lake Huron could experience high waves and surges.

Meantime, officials with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority say smaller local watercourses could rise and spill their banks this weekend.

The more rain that falls, the greater the chance the LTVCA would have to operate the Indian-McGregor Creek Diversion Channel to prevent flooding in the south end of Chatham.

Flooding along the Thames River itself is not expected at this point.  However, high water levels on Lake St. Clair are still affecting downstream areas of the river, and the higher rainfall amounts could cause the river to rise up in Chatham enough to flood over the sidewalk along the river in the downtown.

People should take extra caution and avoid the river, ditches, and streams.  The combination of slippery banks, and fast moving can be dangerous.  Standing water can also present its own unseen hazards.  Children, pets and livestock should be kept away from the water.