In message , at 16:17:34 on Wed, 7 Aug
2019, Andrew remarked:

The one thing I've not seen mentioned anywhere is whether they have
been emptying the reservoir by the normal route (valves draining into
canal system) in addition to the much-publicised pumping operation. I
presume they have, but it's not (that I've seen) been mentioned.

Exactly. Have they decided not to, or has it just escaped the attention
of the civilian press?

Well it would beggar belief if they *havent* opened the normal drain
valves but I imagine that theyre not designed to empty a reservoir
quickly. After all, if you have a working spillway why would you need a
humongous drain valve?
Because the spillway only works when the reservoir is 101% full, and
you need to drain them when 100% full.

Well now they have, but tomorrow it might be filling up again,

It's abut 95% drained, so very unlikely to fill up in a day.

unless they have diverted the source.

Reportedly that was one of the first things they did.
--
Roland Perry