to put it in very simple terms, if the pinch point in Van Buren can today handle 4.5 or 5 ft open gates, why were they not open that far 2 weeks ago, now whats going to happen is they will have to open them up full bore when this rain hits because obviously they will never let the water encroach anywhere near the top of the dam's elevation, so in my estimate if the lake comes up another 5-6 ft or so they will flood the tar out of the downstream areas to ensure there is no risk of losing the dam itself. Ok now I am done complaining...