While a system moving through the area earlier this week did not bring as much rain as expected, conservation staff continue to monitor local waterways.
Officials with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority say although most of the watershed received less than 5mm of rain over the last few days, warmer temperatures continue to melt snow and ice and smaller rivers and streams could see localized flooding.
The Thames River itself is expected to rise but is not expected to flood the low-lying river flats adjacent to the river from Delaware down to Thamesville. The LTVCA no longer expects to have to operate the McGregor Creek Diversion Channel in Chatham.
For the next few days, water levels on the Thames in Chatham are expected to remain below the level of the sidewalk along the river in the downtown.
Officials say the Thames River has developed a significant ice cover, but has begun to degrade and should be considered unsafe.