Minot, North Dakota (CNN) -- The bloated Souris River has crested at an historic high in Minot, North Dakota, but floodwaters likely will remain at or near their current level for several days, authorities said Sunday. "At this point, the river has had its crest so far in Minot, but a number of locations downstream still have some high water yet to come," said Richard Kinney, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Bismarck. North Dakota. A crest is defined as the high point of the water during a flood before it begins to recede. A boil-water order, issued as a precaution on Saturday, remains in effect. And experts caution that although the water rose quickly -- flooding up to 4,000 homes to some degree -- it will be slow to recede.
@highlight
NEW: River levels at Minot begin their slow retreat, a NWS forecaster says
@highlight
"It's disheartening," says resident Steve Knab
@highlight
3,000 to 4,000 homes have been affected by floodwater in Minot
@highlight
The Souris River has topped its record crest from 1881
Three recovery centers will open on Monday -- two in Minot and one in @placeholder, Gov.
@placeholder officials told residents Saturday that tap water should be boiled for at least a minute before consuming in order to kill any dangerous organisms.