But commercial boat operators are allowed back on the Murray River after being banned on Friday.

River levels are close to the expected peak tomorrow at a level of 93.5 metres on an Australian Height Datum gauge, which measures height above mean sea level.

The river started rising last week after substantial rain and will be affected by inflows from the Goulburn system this week.

Authorities banned all boats from the river but yesterday revised the ban, which still affects houseboat operators.

Cr Williams said commercial drivers were allowed because of their experience and qualifications.

“Accommodation places and our tourist information centre were inundated with calls about whether it was safe to come to Echuca, while other people just presumed and stayed away,” he said.

“Undoubtedly there will be an economic impact that runs through the town.’’

Cr Williams said people were calm about the prospect of the river flooding and said the river was a “magnificent sight” at the moment.

Floods are expected to affect low-lying rural areas in the Echuca area before reaching Torrumbarry on Friday.

The SES and the Australian Defence Force undertook extensive sandbagging to protect the Echuca Wharf and several properties next to the river.

Deputy incident controller Peter Patterson said authorities were starting to look at what effect the rising Murray River would have on Swan Hill and towns downstream.

Mr Patterson said the Avoca River was continuing to recede below minor flood level at Quambatook, before flowing into lakes downstream.

He said the Loddon River was expected to peak at minor flood-level at Kerang late today, but the town was well prepared thanks to the work of SES, Kerang residents, VicRoads and Gannawarra Shire council workers.