The City of Morden is taking precautions against a spring flood of the Dead Horse Creek.

Director of Public Works, Les Wieler, said the flood outlook stands at normal to above normal levels this year, and that prediction depends on several factors which could quickly improve or worsen the situation: amounts of late snow or rainfall, frost depth (the level to which frost has permeated the soil), and the rate of spring thaw.

"I think it would be prudent to say that the potential is definitely there," said Wieler, "but there are quite a few factors that can lower the probability."

Around 1000 sandbags will be prepared in case a flood does occur, but Wieler admitted that if something should happen, there isn't much the City can do to stop it.

"If it floods, it floods," he said.

"You try to protect some homes where you can, but really there's only so much you can do."

Perhaps the worst flood Morden has seen was in 1979, after which several small changes were made including raising the railroad tracks by a foot to form a natural wall against the invading water. In 2013, the City was reminded what can happen when the Dead Horse topped its banks again and water flowed through the streets.

If a rapid melt happens or a lot of rain falls in the next month, the likelihood of a flood will increase, but in that circumstance, Wieler said the public works department plans to be more proactive enlisting help to fill and lay sandbags around the worst-hit areas: the southwest corner of the city, including Maple St. and Alvey St.