[impostervt]

But the damn isn't there just to provide power. Remember back when it was built Iraq exported power, in the form of oil.

It's also there to regulate the flow of the river, which commonly floods the surrounding, crop-growing region.

[lldata]

Yes, but according to what I can read the lake is filled to 8km3 capacity, with 3km3 capacity for flood regulation.

So wouldn't a much smaller dam be sufficient for flood regulation?