The South Australian Government says it is too soon to forecast when restrictions will be eased on water activities near flooded River Murray communities.
A ban on recreational activity on the River Murray was announced on December 20.
Authorities have now divided the River Murray into eight "zones" in what they say will allow flexibility to impose or relax restrictions on different sections as high water levels pass.
The existing on-water restrictions still apply, but have expanded to ban people from entering or remaining on a levee except if responding to an emergency, or inspecting, conducting maintenance or repair.
"The SES (State Emergency Service) have articulated concerns about people being on those levees," Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said.
Under current restrictions, Lake Alexandrina and Lake Bonney are the only locations where some recreational activities can be undertaken.
People can still enter the river in other areas for permitted purposes such as accessing property or necessary supplies, or attending a guided tour by a tour operator.
The new restrictions have been imposed under an Emergency Management Direction, similar to those used in the COVID pandemic.
Mr Stevens said this meant directions could be issued for areas around the river rather than just on the water.
He also said it allowed for "swift action" to be taken against people who disregarded directions.
"They can now be issued an expiation notice for $1,000, plus a victims of crime levy," he said.
Authorities said they were keen to ease restrictions as soon as possible.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said restrictions were "never an easy thing to apply", but community safety was a priority.
"By having eight different zones across the river system we are able to manage the system more flexibility than what would otherwise be the case, with a very keen eye on being ale to ease restrictions as quickly as we possibly can," he said.
Blanchetown residents prepare for peak
Meanwhile, with River Murray water levels higher than expected at Blanchetown, residents are preparing as best they can.
Flows have been dropping at the border and the peak is expected to reach Blanchetown, Swan Reach and Mannum between today and January 13.
At the Blanchetown Caravan Park, cabins are completely underwater, caravans have been overturned and the shop and office at the site have also been inundated for several weeks.
Owner Adam Powell said it could be six months before the water recedes enough for him to assess the damage.
He said it has been an "emotional" time, although he has not yet had a chance to fully reflect on the situation.
"As time goes on, the more you think about it, the more emotional it gets, just time to sink in about what's happened," he said.
"It's just been such a whirlwind trip at the moment, you haven't had time to think about what you're doing, you've just go to do it and get as much out as we could.
"I think we've probably saved a lot of our things out of there, but there is a lot of infrastructure there that's still under water, so that's a worry too."
Mr Powell estimates the cost of the damage caused to his caravan park will easily exceed $100,000.
"It's the waiting game, it's going to be a long wait I think by the looks of things, we haven't peaked here yet," he said.
"So we're going to be at least another six months before we can probably get in there I'd say and maybe 12 months before we get the business up and running, so that's a bit of a worry, that side of it."
He said the joint federal and state government funded $126 million recovery package, announced yesterday, "would help a lot" in his business's recovery.
"Hopefully it will kickstart us when the time comes," he said.
"It just gives you a bit more hope with things."
Mal McNeil, who lives in the nearby town of Paisley, said he has been working around the clock to add height to his levee.
Mr NcNeil said he has had lots of sleepless nights over the past month as the river levels continue to rise and the predictions revised upwards.
He has called for a new system of measuring water flow for future floods.
"There's got to be a better way moving forward to track volumes and measurements," he said.
"Especially in this day and age with satellite tracking and GPS, you think there'd be a lot more accurate way to track it.
"But you learn from mistakes I suppose, and hopefully moving forward they come up with a better way to do it."
