The highway had initially been covered by 450mm of water, but that level has dropped to less than 300mm and was falling at a more rapid rate than earlier in the week.

Large sections of road north of Glendambo that were previously submerged are now visible and, once the water recedes further, an assessment team will survey the damage and required repairs.

State Emergency Service (SES) northern region commander Trevor Arnold said he could not put a time frame on when the highway may reopen.

“It’s not just the fact that the water needs to recede, it’s the damage that could have been done to the road which needs to be assessed before people can drive on it, given that most of the traffic that goes up through there are very heavy road trains,” he said.

A muddy Oodnadatta Track in William Creek. PIC: William Creek Hotel / ABC

Nonetheless, it is thought that the authorities could decide to open one lane of the road this weekend in order to allow select traffic through, and it is likely that local traffic will be given priority access.

Travel to the area is still discouraged.

Glendambo Hotel manager Sandy Fennell told the Adelaide Advertiser that several travellers had made their way to the outpost in the last two weeks despite the closure.

She said the flood had also brought an influx in frogs, insects, mosquitoes, reptiles and even shrimp to the usually-arid area.

“When the flood first happened there was people swimming in the water,” she said. “I thought, I wouldn’t be doing that!”

• Have you been affected by the closure of the Stuart Highway. Comment below.