Miss Carson (36) was found by police divers in the river near the Balclutha bridge on the north bank about 12.30pm.
Four police divers from Wellington began searching the Clutha River at 9am yesterday.
About 20 search and rescue personnel from Balclutha, Owaka and Dunedin also searched, using four boats borrowed from the Balclutha Jet Boating Club and two inflatable rescue boats from the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club.
An inquiry team of eight police staff also worked yesterday and Wednesday to gather information about Miss Carson's activities over the past few days.
Police began the search on Tuesday night after Miss Carson was reported missing by a friend late on Tuesday. She had last been seen on the river bank.
"Miss Carson's family and police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search for Shelley and those people who provided information about her movements," Senior Sergeant Whitmore, of Balclutha, said.
Police inquiries would still be continuing but the circumstances relating to Miss Carson's death were now a matter for the coroner, he said.
