I am sure they have looked at the scenarios and have figured this is the best option.

If the reservoirs overflow and collapse, then flooding downstream would be sudden and much worse.

It is one of those no win situations where they are just trying to minimize the impact.

for not moving fast enough on upgrades. Count on it.

They'll still be retaining more than they release. They'll have to wait until later, they hope, to release more.

The communities to the west of the two reservoirs will at least partly go under water anyway. They've never flooded before.