The South Australian government is mobilising a team of engineers and flood planners in a bid to mitigate the highest water flows since the 1970s into Murray River communities.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the latest modelling predicted flows of up to 120 gigalitres into the catchment by early December.

He announced a six-week campaign by various state agencies to protect and prepare communities, businesses and visitors in the flood’s path.

“We’ve seen the devastating human and economic impact of floods in the eastern states,” Mr Malinauskas said on Wednesday.

“The government is acting now to ensure river communities are as well prepared as possible should challenges arise.”

Following concerns about levees managed by councils and private landholders, the government will deploy engineers and flood planners to the Riverland this week to undertake geological surveys of levees.

Riverland towns, particularly Renmark, are at particular risk of flooding if Murray River levels rise beyond the forecasts.

Mr Malinauskas said flood forecasting for the river was particularly challenging and many factors could significantly affect the size and timing of the peak.

The complex interaction of inflows arriving from multiple river systems, including the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Goulburn and Darling rivers, also increases the complexity of providing accurate forecasts in advance.

South Australian Climate Minister Susan Close said limited time was available to respond to the anticipated increased flows, and everyone had to work together to minimise the risk of inundation in coming weeks and months.

– AAP