Everything you need to know about River Murray flood restrictions

With fishing and boating restrictions lifted in some areas of the river, here’s what you need to know as floodwaters recede along the Murray.

Boaties and fishers have been granted permission to return to the upper River Murray, but a number of restrictions remain in place as floodwaters begin to recede.

Here’s everything you need to know about what restrictions have been lifted – and what’s still banned on the river.

Where have restrictions lifted?

To manage the lifting of restrictions, authorities have divided the River Murray into different zones.

Some restrictions have been eased in Zones A, B, C and D – which extend from the border to the upriver side of Lock 2, including Overland Corner and Waikerie but excluding Lake Bonney.

The remaining zones downriver still have restrictions imposed.

Restrictions have been lifted along areas of the upper River Murray. Picture: Matt Loxton

What restrictions have lifted?

Recreational motorised boating, including jet skis, and recreational fishing will now be allowed in the zones listed above.

When do the lifted restrictions come into effect?

They came into effect immediately on January 18, when the police commissioner signed an updated declaration as state co-ordinator.

Can I take my boat out on the river?

Yes you can – but only from the border to the upriver side of Lock 2. Only motorised vehicles are allowed in those areas, human-powered craft such as kayaks remain banned.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the decision to uphold a ban on kayaking was one of safety, with concerns over human-powered vessels being able to return upstream if they travel down the river.

Are there speed limits for boats?

In Zones A, B, C and D motorised vessels must not exceed 10 knots, or four knots if travelling between sunrise and sunset, or within 250m of a submerged building.

While boating remains banned downstream, authorised vehicles allowed on the river must not exceed four knots.

Am I allowed to go fishing?

Yes, recreational fishing is allowed in Zones A, B and C.

It is also allowed in Zone G – which runs from the downriver side of the Wellington ferry crossing to Lake Alexandrina, and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth – and Lake Bonney.

Flood waters around buildings at Bow Hill on January 16. Picture: Clayton Bay Riverside Holiday Park

Fishing is allowed once more in certain upstream zones of the river, but swimming remains banned. Picture: Joel Eglinton

Can I go swimming in the river?

No, swimming and diving remains banned in all areas of the river.

Only those with a permitted purpose are allowed to swim, dive or operate a human-powered vessel like a kayak.

Towing a person from behind a motorised vehicle also remains banned in all zones.

Map showing the river zones as determined by authorities.

What are the river zones?

The river zones as determined by authorities are:

Zone A: the part of the River Murray from where it enters South Australia to the upriver side of Lock 5.

Zone B: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of Lock 5 to the upriver side of Lock 4.

Zone C: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of Lock 4 to the upriver side of Lock 3, but not including Lake Bonney.

Zone D: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of Lock 3 to the upriver side of Lock 2.

Zone E: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of Lock 2 to the upriver side of Lock 1.

Zone F: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of Lock 1 to the upriver side of the Wellington ferry crossing.

Zone G: the part of the River Murray from the downriver side of the Wellington ferry crossing to where the river enters Lake Alexandrina,

and the Coorong, the Lower Lakes and the Murray Mouth.

Zone H: Lake Bonney.

Kids swim in dirty-brown waves at Middleton Beach on Saturday, January 7.

Is it safe to swim in brown waters along the coast, including Goolwa Beach, Middleton and Port Elliot?

Onshore winds have pushed brown freshwater from the river mouth at Goolwa onto beaches along the Fleurieu Peninsula – making the waves murkier than usual.

SA Health says there are no health risks associated with the water.

“There has been no evidence of increased microbial contamination, including E.coli, in flood waters that could affect Goolwa Beach,” a spokesperson said.

“If water visibility is poor, swimmers are advised to move to areas where water visibility is not impacted.”

A ban on recreational fishing of cockles/pipis at Goolwa Beach is in place until further notice.

Can I go fishing for Goolwa cockles (pipis) at Goolwa Beach?

No, the Department of Primary Industries has issued a ban on recreational fishing for pipis at Goolwa Beach until further notice after dangerous levels of E. coli were found in the molluscs.

While the ban is not related to River Murray flooding, PIRSA has warned SA fishers that pipis found on Goolwa Beach are currently not safe for human consumption.

Should I be concerned about dead fish on Fleurieu beaches?

While thousands of smelly, dead carp have washed up from Goolwa Beach down to Victor Harbor as a result of floodwaters, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) says there is no need for concern.

PIRSA says fish-kill events can happen due changes to environmental factors such as temperature, salinity or oxygen levels, or through the introduction of disease or pollutants.

The stinky event is expected to continue for weeks, until the carcasses naturally wash out to sea.

If there is too much fish build-up in a certain area, PIRSA will step in to turn the tides.