"You can either build a dam to store water for use, but if the dam is full of stored water it can't catch a flood. If you want to build a dam to catch a flood you have to keep that dam empty and then that doesn't store water. You can't have it both ways."
Oh dear. Let me put my factual argument another way.
Burrendong dam was at 110% full when the flooding rains STARTED. Cleverly timed releases and management saved the city of Dubbo from horrendous flooding (like 1955) and also the towns downstream.
The statement above, nothwithdstanding its source, - is simply incorrect.
A dam does not need to 'catch a flood'. Most would be full in a few days, that's a ridiculous argument. They act as a shock absorber, and level out extreme river peaks.
I am amazed that the level of understanding of the basic flood mitigation properties of dams is so divorced from reality.
