Sydenham River. Photo credit: Robyn Brady.

A local conservation authority is warning of possible elevated water levels this week due to rainfall and rising temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to move above freezing in the coming days beginning overnight Tuesday and forecasts are calling for 5-15 mm of rain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

As a result, the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority said the ground will likely become saturated resulting in runoff across the watershed. This will lead to a slow rise in water levels, which could cause waterways to spill their banks into natural floodplain areas, parks and farm fields.

Local residents are reminded to avoid local waterways and flooded areas as conditions could become dangerous due to slippery banks and cold, swift-moving water.