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Wet weather, high water push Thames River Cleanup back a week

   Andrew Lupton
   | CBC News | Posted: April 17, 2026 8:16 PM | Last Updated:
   Just now

   High water levels, wet river banks creating dangerous
   conditions

   Image | Thames River Clean Up in Meadowlilly

   Caption: Volunteers from the 2024 Thames River Cleanup. This
   year's event has been pushed back a year to April 25 due to
   high water levels and wet, slippery conditions. (Thames River
   Clean Up)
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   The Thames River Cleanup will have to wait a week after
   organizers opted to postpone Saturday's event due to unsafe
   conditions from this week's heavy rainfall.
     * Thames River Cleanup information

   Now in its 27th year, the cleanup brings together about 1,000
   people who roll up their sleeves and pitch in to pick up trash
   and other debris from the shores of the Thames River.
   The 2026 event was set to happen on April 18. However a week of
   heavy rains has made for unsafe conditions along the river
   banks. As a result, the 2026 river cleanup has been rescheduled
   to April 25.
   Saturday's forecast is calling for up to 10 mm of rain in some
   areas of London.
   "We've been watching the weather and it just keeps raining and
   raining," said event founder Todd Sleeper. "And now the ground
   is so saturated and the river is overflowing its banks and it's
   just not safe for our volunteers to go out there and, and to
   help clean up there.

     We've been watching the weather and it just keeps raining
     and raining- Todd Sleeper, founder of the Thames River
     Cleanup

   While safety is the main concern for the postponement, Sleeper
   said wet weather on cleanup day leads to complications.
   "We're not going to be able to do a really good job when
   everything's under the water," he said.
   Sleeper said it's not the first time the event has been
   rescheduled to do soggy spring conditions.
   "Over the 27 years, I think this is probably the fifth time
   that we've had to reschedule," he said. "Some years the water
   is low and everything's nice and and warm. Other years it's
   freezing cold and the water's high. That's April for you. You
   never know what you're gonna get."

Warning to stay clear of the water

   Image | Gibbons Park flooding

   Caption: (Andrew Lupton/CBC News)
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   The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is warning that
   high water levels have left the river banks too slippery and
   dangerous to allow the event to happen. They're advising
   everyone to stay well away from the streams, rivers and any
   flooded areas.
   "Stream banks may be slippery and unstable, and the water is
   very cold and fast-moving," the UTRCA said in a news release.
   "Never attempt to drive through flooded areas, and remember to
   keep children and pets away from waterways."
   River cleanup volunteers who've registered to take part are
   encouraged to check in with their local site
   co-ordinators regarding the new date, as some locations may opt
   to reschedule for a different day based on local conditions.
   A list of cleanup locations, including some in Woodstock,
   Chatham and other areas outside London, are listed on the
   event's website.
   Volunteers who sign up and help with the cleanup will be
   entered to win a kayak donated by Nova Craft.
   For more information about the event, contact Todd Sleeper
   at td.sleeper@hotmail.com.

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