FLOWS into the River Murray are expected to elevate in early 2011 but are unlikely to threaten Riverland and Murraylands towns, according to the Department for Water.
The projection comes as representatives from the department, State Emergency Service and SA Water recently met River Murray Local Government stakeholders to discuss the increased flows in the River Murray that are expected to arrive in January 2011.
SES deputy chief officer Matt Maywald said the prediction could be revised because of variables associated with accurately predicting waterflows, such as upstream conditions and river operations. Flow rates would continue to be monitored.
"We have heard reports of speculation that parallels this event to that of the 1956 and 1974 floods," he said. "On the modelling provided to us, the peak flow will be about 90,000 megalitres a day through mid to late January.
"By comparison, this flow rate will be one-third to one-half that of the previously mentioned floods."
The amount of water coming down has raised concerns about the conditions of flood and levee banks along the River Murray.
He said the State Government was undertaking repairs to government-owned levees between Mannum and Wellington, which had deteriorated because of the drought.
River Murray Minister Paul Caica said the Department for Water owned and maintained 67 kilometres of the levees, and the government was working to fix major cracks and ensure the levees' structural integrity.
"This will involve repairing access tracks to levees and filling about 3500 metres of cracks with a low-strength cement slurry," he said.
"Initial repairs will focus on the most badly-cracked levees at Mypolonga and Neeta."
