It is understood government officers in NSW and Queensland have calculated there is more floodwater flowing across the border than originally anticipated and this will give SA a greater volume.
Extra water is already flowing down the river because of good rains in NSW and the NSW Government decision in January to release an extra 148 billion litres. Water levels at Lake Alexandrina have already risen 3cm.
According to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority's latest bulletin, this level is "forecast to continue gradually increasing over the coming weeks".
It states that during the past week, the average flow of water into SA is seven billion litres a day.
The water from the Queensland floods is starting to flow into the Menindee Lakes and once it has been stored it will be released slowly over the coming months. Government sources said it had to be released carefully over a long period. The flows will reduce the risk of acidification, lower salinity levels and improve habitat for wildlife.
A spokesman for Federal Water Minister Penny Wong said advice was that SA could expect "considerable water" but it was unclear how much and when. Meanwhile, Senator Wong and the state's newly promoted Water Security Minister, Paul Caica, have met officially for the first time to discuss water issues.
The issue of water from the Queensland floods provoked a row in the recent election when the Opposition claimed Premier Mike Rann had taken credit for getting 400 billion litres of water that SA was already due to receive.
However, Mr Rann said without the support of NSW Premier Kristina Keneally and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, SA's share of the floodwater could have been held up.
Greg Kelton, State editor
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