District Ranger Tony Magor said that even though the flood waters had started to recede, visitors still need to be careful in the area and do their research before travelling.

“Over summer the Cooper Creek flooded to levels not seen in almost 20 years,” he said.

“This resulted in visitor facilities in Innamincka Regional Reserve being under water and the Innamincka Township itself inaccessible by road.

“While most camping areas have reopened, there are still some restrictions in place and we advise people to be extremely cautious when travelling through the area and be mindful of road hazards, closures and speed limits.

“They will also need to do their research before travelling to avoid disappointment as not all campsites are open yet. Some campsites will not be open until late August or September as they are still drying out and will need repair work undertaken before re-opening.

“Coongie Lakes National Park will continue to be closed for the 2010 visitor season due to the floodwaters.”

Mr Magor said that despite the inconvenience, the flood waters had made a significant environmental impact.

“Now that the flood has receded, it’s obvious how beneficial the water has been, such as filling the Coongie Lakes and flowing down the Strzelecki Creek – both incredibly important eco-systems in the area.

“Coongie Lakes in particular is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International importance due to its significant feeding, resting and breeding site for numerous migratory birds.

“In addition, the water continues to flow downstream towards Lake Eyre, although we are unsure what the long-term impact here will be.”