Officials with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority are keeping a close watch on the Thames River as ice begins breaking up.

An ice jam has been forming around Kent Bridge with some minor ice jamming through Chatham as well.

“With the slightly higher flows and the effects of minor ice jamming, there could be some further flooding of the river flats than was seen earlier in the week,” a watershed conditions statement from the LTVCA reads. “Flooding of the river flats is not expected to be significant.”

Officials say water levels are higher than usual, and the Thames expected to remain that way through the weekend.

Residents are reminded to steer clear of rivers, ditches, and streams as the combination of slippery banks, broken or unstable ice, and fast moving cold water can be dangerous.