A call has gone out for volunteers to register to help with South Australia’s Murray River flood recovery in coming months.

With water levels continuing to rise and up to 4000 properties likely to be inundated, Volunteering SA said the clean-up, when the river subsided, would be massive.

Chief executive Hamilton Calder said South Australians had a great opportunity to support their regional Riverland neighbours as a member of an army of volunteers assisting agencies on the ground.

He said people interested in helping should register online with details of any particular skills and when and where they would be available.

“We are in the midst of a declared major emergency that requires a coordinated approach to best help communities,” Mr Calder said.

“By signing up as a volunteer, we can ascertain how many people can assist during and after the unfolding flood disaster.”

State Emergency Service chief officer Chris Beattie said the clean-up of flood-affected communities would be a significant undertaking.

“It has been incredible to witness how neighbours and members of the public have already united to help each other,” Mr Beattie said.

“If volunteering to assist the recovery effort is possible, more hands on deck will be welcomed.”

The calls on Friday also came as the army joined the flood assistance efforts, deploying four high-clearance vehicles and support personnel.

The vehicles will be used to deliver critical supplies to isolated or flooded households, help with evacuations and provide transport for rescue crews.

With the Murray yet to peak, about 1100 properties have been flooded so far.

The high water mark is expected to hit Renmark, near the Victorian border, between Christmas and New Year and then reach Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide, by January 17.

Peak flows are still forecast to hit between 190 gigalitres and 220 gigalitres a day.

They are then expected to drop back to about 150 gigalitres a day in February, allowing for clean-up work to begin.

Levee construction along the river is nearing completion, with the last works expected to be finished this week in towns including Mannum, Berri and Loxton.

A number of ferry services across the river have closed or been moved to higher ground.

The SA government has provided a $51.6 million assistance package, including support for tourism and other businesses, as well as direct emergency payments to homeowners.

Premier Peter Malinauskas acknowledged a level of community concern and uncertainty about rising river levels, compared with floods in the past.

But he said the river was a different place to what it was during the record floods of 1956 and the last big flood in 1974.

“This is the first time in over 50 years we’ve seen this volume of water coming our way. It’s hardly surprising that the river is performing differently,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“This is very much an unprecedented situation. Floods, of course, have a precedent, but floods in the modern era don’t in this part of our state.”

– AAP