Tourists flock to the River Murray even as high flows peak

River Murray flows are expected to peak during the next week, the State Emergency Service says.

More water than usual has been flowing down the river since mid-July, when the state Department for Environment and Water first warned that storages upstream were filling up.

Flows across the state border are forecast to reach about 55 gigalitres per day this week, or 5-10 times the usual for this time of year.

However, the high-flow event has been nothing like the summer’s floods, during which flows passed 180GL/day.

River levels at Murray Bridge were barely a few centimetres higher than normal on Monday.

DEW water delivery manager Chrissie Bloss suggested that was nothing to write home about.

“While the current flow and water levels are considered a ‘high flow’, it’s not unusual to see these levels in winter and spring, when the Murray catchment receives the bulk of its rainfall,” she said.

Still, SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie urged river users to beware of fast-flowing water or debris when swimming or boating.

River Revival vouchers bring in tourist dollars

The high flows certainly haven’t dampened demand from tourists.

A total of 8234 bookings were made as a result of the second round of the the state government’s River Revival voucher scheme, intended to boost the local economy in the wake of the flood, after it closed last week.

More than half of the people who won a $750 houseboat voucher went on to make a booking, while 85 per cent of those who won a $200 accommodation voucher did so.

Floor recovery coordinator Alex Zimmerman urged visitors to support accommodation providers and other local businesses up and down the river.

“The river right now is as spectacular as ever,’’ he said.

“All houseboats are operating and local communities are open for business.

“The South Australian Tourism Commission vouchers and recovery efforts are going great and neither will be affected by the current water levels.’’

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said every $200 voucher issued during the scheme’s first round had generated an extra $746 worth of economic activity in the Murraylands and Riverland.

“We have seen an unprecedented and truly impressive and immediate boost to flood-affected tourism businesses, with round two of the River Revival Voucher program injecting more than $5.6 million in bookings,” she said.

“I am thrilled.”

A third round of vouchers will be released early next year.

• More information: southaustralia.com.

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