The Flood Watch issued by Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) has been extended and remains in effect until Saturday, February 24.

In a SVCA media release, lthough water levels in most rivers and streams have peaked and are receding, except for the lower Main Saugeen River, the Flood Watch is continuing in recognition that water levels are still high. Furthermore, there are still ice jams and ice moving in some locations. The public and municipal officials are advised to continue to monitor watercourse conditions, in case ice jams create localized flooding problems.

The level of the Saugeen River in Walkerton peaked early in the morning February 22 at approximately 476 cubic metres per second. This flow rate is about the eighth highest since monitoring began over 100 years ago.

At Paisley, in Arran-Elderslie, the Main Saugeen River and the Teeswater River changed very little overnight and both remain quite high. In that community there is an ice jam on the Teeswater River and SVCA staff were stationed on-site Wednesday, February 21 and through the night monitoring the situation. The water level is at the bottom of the Queen Street bridge and should the ice jam move it could cause a rapid rise in the river level. Staff remain on site February 22.

In addition, there still are ice jams upstream and downstream of Paisley on the Saugeen River which could move at any time or remain stationary, regardless of flow conditions.

SVCA staff also monitored the McGowan Falls Dam in Durham, West Grey, overnight, as high flows brought flood debris which collected at the dam and had to be removed.

For safety reasons the public is advised to avoid floodwaters even though water levels may be dropping.

Also, streambanks could be unstable due to erosion or icy or slippery, so those areas should be avoided as well.

Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority staff will be monitoring river flows throughout the day February 22. This message is in effect until Saturday, February 24 at 11 a.m., unless a further message is issued.