Boating and swimming temporarily banned on the River Murray

Thursday, 22 December 2022

An immediate ban on swimming, fishing, boating and other recreational aquatic activities has been imposed on the River Murray between the SA border and Wellington to protect infrastructure and the safety of river users and property owners.

The restrictions will also help limit the number of properties which will require power disconnection as waters continue to rise towards their expected peak.

There has been limited recreational boating activity on the river in recent weeks as flows have increased.

However, submerged hazards and debris are now posing a significant safety risk, prompting the following restrictions to be introduced:

• no motorised vessels can be operated the River Murray
• no human-powered vessels or any other water traffic (including canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats, or aquatic toys) can be operated on the River Murray
• no swimming, bathing or diving in the River Murray
• no persons shall undertake any fishing activity or place or leave any fishing apparatus (including any net, drum net, hoop net, mesh net, set line, shrimp trap and yabby pot) in the River Murray.

These restrictions apply on all parts of the river between the border and the Wellington Ferry, including all creeks, tributaries, lakes, lagoons and other bodies of water connected to it, with the exception of Lake Bonney.

The restrictions do not apply to boating on the River Murray that is reasonably required for:

• activity related to work or employment
• access to any fuel, food, drinking water, medical assistance, emergency aids or supplies (including sandbags)
• access to property
• rendering emergency assistance or reduce risk to life and injury to persons, animals, or property.

If you are using a vessel for one of these required purposes, a reminder that previous restrictions continue to apply, including a 4-knot speed limit in certain locations.

For more information on all current restrictions and the latest marine safety advice, please visit Marine Safety SA.

Marine safety teams and SAPOL officers will continue to have increased presence on the water, with any person or vessel operator found in breach of any one of these restrictions is subject to a maximum penalty of $10,000.

River-users are reminded not to swim, ride, walk or drive in high flow waterways.
Locals are also urged to check that their vessel moorings are secure as water levels rise, if it is safe to do.

Marine Safety Officers are continuing to mark hazards on the river using yellow buoys and signage, particularly in high traffic locations.

You can report a hazard on the River Murray on the Marine Safety website at www.marinesafety.sa.gov.au/river-murray-high-flows-2022-marine-safety-advice.

For more on River Murray high flows, please visit the State Government’s dedicated website at www.sa.gov.au/floods.