But the town’s two beaches, and all public boats ramps, remain impacted by floodwaters and are closed.
Transport for NSW this week downgraded its declaration for the Edward River, but it it does so with a strict warning from the authorities and the local community.
A marine notice for the river says people should “navigate with caution and minimise wash”.
Transport NSW said this cautionary approach recognises that the Edward River is currently recovering from high water levels and flood conditions.
“Vessel operators are strongly encouraged to exercise extreme caution when navigating on these waterways, keep a proper lookout, travel at a safe speed and comply with all signage,” its marine notice states.
“Vessel operators are also instructed to significantly minimise vessel wash to protect saturated riverbanks and adjacent properties.”
Deniliquin Boat Club Commodore Craig Druitt said while everyone is keen to get back on the river and for a ‘normal’ summer, he echoed the sentiments of the government authorities and urges river users to exercise self-restraint.
“Our message would be to be mindful, and to use the river safely and wisely,” he said.
“The banks are yet to fully dry out, which may result in movement of trees, logs and other debris.
“There is also still a bit of a current.
“Those people with homes along the river have been under a lot of pressure in recent months, so be mindful of what impact further wash may have on them.”
Despite use of the river being opened up, both McLean Beach and Willoughby’s Beach remain closed.
Access roads to both are also closed, and Edward River Council has warned that most of the public access areas are still impacted by flood.
As a result, public boat ramps remain closed “due to Council's inability to assess if any debris are obstructing the ramps or if the integrity of the ramps has been compromised”.
This includes Lawson Syphon, Twin Rivers, Murray Valley Regional Park (Willoughby's Beach), McLean Beach, Harfleur Street, Sloane Street.
All national parks also remain closed.
Some parts of the Beach to Beach walk have been reopened as the river continues to drop, but some areas will remain closed if they are deemed unsafe or are still subject to inundation.
“Your safety is our priority,” Edward River Council said.
“Please do not disregard the signage, it is there to keep you all safe this holiday season.”
As the water levels fall, Transport for NSW is working to reinstate signage and navigation aids used to define channels and mark hazards that may have been washed away and/or still be out of position.
Hazards include water depths and navigational channels that may have changed, submerged hazards and floating debris.
The department as said operators of vessels must not cause wash that damages or impacts unreasonably on:
• any bank, shore or waterside structure;
• any other vessel, including a vessel that is moored;
• any construction or other works in progress; or
• any dredge or floating plant.
The Edward River at Deniliquin peaked at 9.19m on November 22.
It has been slowly receding ever since, and was at 3.95m yesterday and dropping about 20cm a day.
At Moulamein the Edward is 5.77m and falling about 5cm a day.
The Billabong Creek, which is on the Murrumbidgee system, was at 3.37m at Conargo and 3.55m at Wanganella yesterday. The heights are dropping by about 10cm a day in both communities.
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