I’m not sure what the proper protocol is for removing a dam without causing an instant flood, but it’s probably a little more complicated than splitting it down the middle. Still, the work’s been a hit with locals. Even the county public works director wants the graffiti to stay: “Everyone I’ve talked to has really enjoyed it. It sends a good message.” [LA Times]
Image: Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times
EckyThump
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:19 PMJust do what they do when they build the things! They divert it through tunnels or around the side. It won’t take long for the water to drop down until it’s low enough to blow it! Then again there is probably some reason they can’t do that here otherwise they would’ve done it eh! #]
Drew
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:33 PMExcept that you can’t easily make the diversion tunnels as they are not deep under water and there is a bazillion gazillion galons of water behind the dam.
John
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:30 PMturn on the tap
Ftruck
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 1:48 PMjust do what the QLD government does..say screw it and let huge amounts out at the very last moment when things look bad, destroy half a state then deny any fault.
Dan
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:18 PMHooray, another idiot LNP voter! Firstly, the control of the dam’s release sits with operator of the dam, not with a politician in Brisbane. The Government only had that advice from the experts too, anyway. To suggest that the floods in and to the east of Ipswich are the fault of the State Government is really moving into tin-foil hat territory. You only need to look at the rain figures from that time period to see that. Also, “destroy half a state”? The only places affected by the Wivenhoe releases was (more or less) Ipswich and Brisbane, and everything in between. The loss of life occurred further west, in the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba, and that flooding was indisputably from a freak series of weather events.
I fear for this state if Campbell Newman becomes Premier.
Terry
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:42 PMTrue enough, but I still say the council bears some of the responsibility for allowing so much construction in what is in reality a flood plain.
And don’t get me started on the idiots who by a house on stilts and then decide to use the underneath as more rooms. Or the idiots who lift their house and THEN build underneath.
Blaming the Govt however for the flooding that occurred earlier this year is just ignorant.
Sicarius123
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 3:51 PMDon’t forget the idiots who buy a house on stilts and then lower it!
InformedGamer
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:05 AMDon’t forget the idiots who build houses in a geographical location that is historically prone to flooding then feel they’ve been hard done by when they lose everything in a flood.
Erica
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:12 PMAnd noone tells first home buyers that knowing where the 1974 floods and now the 2011 floods is something you have to check for!!! Even stuff like checking if other structures on land you want to buy are approved by council, didn’t know about it until we were burned by the pool safety certifications!
Adam C
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:01 PMI saw a movie once that has a good solution for an experienced pilot.
Dam Shame That
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:20 PMHell yeah! Dambusters FTW!
Terry
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:44 PMAh, an old movie called “The Damn Busters”
Probably not shown in the U.S. because of the dogs name.
Rob
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 3:08 PMDam (not Damn) Busters
Terry
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 4:38 PMgood catch, but I’ll call it any damned thing I like :)
ya grammar nazi!