I wanted to write something like your analysis. But my spare time is scarce. Thankfully, you took on the task.

Southern Alberta had a big flood in 2013. There are at least two places where canals feed into irrigation systems. Some people were wondering why those canals could not have been opened up more.

Canals have a maximum capacity. During the flood, it would be generous to say that the canals could take 1% of the overflow of the flood waters. A drop in the bucket, pun intended.