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Dry Summer Leaves Thames River Levels Dangerously Low
29 Aug
Summary
- Thames River water levels drop due to low rainfall
- Boating businesses face challenges as water recedes
- Conservation authority urges water conservation
As of August 29th, 2025, the Thames River in the London, Ontario area is facing a concerning drop in water levels due to a prolonged period of low rainfall this summer. According to Eleanor Heagy of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), the region has received about 20% less rainfall than average over the past month, leading to a significant decline in the river's water levels.
The low water levels have had a noticeable impact on local businesses, such as the Riverside Social Club, which provides canoe and kayak rentals. Anis Omar, the club's operator, has observed that the water around their launching area has dropped from a typical depth of six feet to around four feet, forcing customers to go further out to launch their boats and navigate around newly exposed obstacles.
The UTRCA is currently monitoring the situation and has placed the Thames River at a "level one" low water response, the least severe of the three-level scale. While the authority's reservoirs are helping to maintain water levels in much of the watershed, some smaller streams and drains are drying up faster, potentially affecting aquatic life.
Conservation officials are urging residents and businesses to be mindful of their water usage and to take steps to conserve this precious resource. Heagy emphasized that this is an "educational opportunity" to highlight the importance of water and the many ways the community relies on it. If the dry conditions persist, the impact could extend to smaller municipalities and households that rely on wells for their drinking water, though that level of concern has not yet been reached.
