Thames River Freshet Causes Rescues, Prompts Safety Warnings in London, Ontario
London, Ontario – Emergency crews responded to three separate incidents over two days involving rescues from the Thames River, as rapidly melting snow and recent rainfall caused water levels to rise significantly. Authorities are urging residents to stay away from the riverbanks due to dangerous conditions.
Recent Rescues Highlight River Hazards
On Monday, March 9, 2026, London Fire Department crews rescued a man who became stranded on a concrete structure near Richmond Street and Grey Street. Firefighters used ropes to safely pull the man to shore after he was unable to climb the steep and slippery embankment London Fire Department.
The previous day, two boys were found stranded on a small island in the river near Highbury Avenue and Fanshawe Park Road. Both individuals were unharmed in both incidents CBC News.
Freshet Conditions and Rising Water Levels
The Thames River crested its banks over the weekend due to a combination of snowmelt and rainfall. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) spokesperson, Eleanor Heagy, explained the situation is a “freshet” – a period of rapid snowmelt and increased river flow. “With all the rain that we had last week, warm weather and lots and lots of snow melting upstream of London, the river was getting quite high,” Heagy said CBC News.
The North Thames River peaked on Saturday evening, while the South Thames River, originating from the Woodstock area, peaked early Sunday morning. The highest flows are typically observed near the Forks of the Thames, where the two branches converge.
Safety Warnings Issued
Emergency crews are warning residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas and to keep children and pets away from the water’s edge. Platoon Chief Colin Shewell of the London Fire Department emphasized the preventable nature of many water rescues, stating, “A lot of these water rescues are preventable. If people would just keep an eye around their surroundings and be safe.” CBC News.
Even with the river peaks having passed, authorities anticipate that water levels will remain high for several days. Residents are urged to exercise extreme caution near the riverbanks.
Recent Fire Incidents in the London Area
While unrelated to the river rescues, a fire occurred on Richmond Road in East Twickenham on July 16, 2025, requiring the response of ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters. The fire damaged a three-story mixed-apply building and resulted in one person being hospitalized London Fire Brigade. Another fire broke out on Richmond Road in Kingston upon Thames on March 16, 2026, impacting a Grade II-listed building and causing traffic disruption The River.