The South Australian government says drier conditions across the Murray-Darling Basin are providing hope that floodwaters may start to recede in mid-January.
The peak of flooding through Renmark and Berri is expected to be reached "in the coming days", including either Christmas Day or Boxing Day, Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said today.
"We're seeing a very minor refinement of the likelihood of those peaks through those communities; however, we're talking about a day or so either side," he said.
The peak flow of between 190 and 220 gigalitres per day is expected to reach Loxton by December 29, and Murray Bridge between January 3 and 13.
"We stand with them during this difficult Christmas period and we will be there with our community and these communities as the recovery phase becomes more and more important," Mr Szakacs said.
The level of the Murray at Wentworth peaked at about 187 gigalitres of water per day on Sunday.
New projections show flows could drop to under 150 gigalitres per day in mid-January, and under 100 gigalitres by February.
So far 1,100 properties have been inundated, with that number expected to reach 4,000 at the peak.
Already, 3,160 properties have had power disconnected.
More than 250 businesses and 4,000 hectares of agricultural land are also expected to be impacted at the peak.
So far, 14 levees have reportedly failed completely, even though peak levels have not yet been reached.
State Emergency Service chief officer Chris Beattie said even after the peak, sustained pressure on levees would continue to weaken them, so locals should be prepared.
"We'll be very pre-emptive about warnings and messages to the community about when to evacuate," he said.
"It's important for people that live in flood-risk areas, particularly those that live in areas protected by levees, that they have their plan prepared and understand when they'll have to leave, and if they are planning to relocate, to relocate early."
