The first flood waters flow over the new Torrens outlet. Previously the Torrens ran into the Port River, but diverted itself by silting, creating an area of swamp known as the Reedbeds. In the 1930s a channel was made and the river was directed into it, to enter the Gulf St Vincent at Henley Beach South.

After the completion of the flood mitigation measures the incidence of flooding on the western side of Adelaide declined dramatically. The outlet could handle a huge flow of water.

However with rapid urbansisation following World War II there has been an increased concern about the consequences of rapid runoff and the State Government and local councils still work together to avoid the damage that would occur during a one in a hundred year rainfall event.