LEGAL action is the only avenue left for people seeking compensation for the 2011 floods, with the State Government ruling out any "handouts".

Premier Campbell Newman yesterday declined to comment directly on a Crime and Misconduct Commission report which cleared SEQWater engineers of wrongdoing.

The findings left victims frustrated that the CMC had not investigated the critical question of why huge releases were made from Wivenhoe Dam on January 11, 2011, that triggered the devastating flood.

Mr Newman has previously ruled out further inquiries and yesterday said his government was getting on with implementing the 175 recommendations of the Flood Commission of Inquiry.

"19 recommendations (have been) completed to date," said the Premier.

"Our first priority is making the improvements needed before summer to ensure we are better prepared to respond to any disasters which might arise over the next wet season."

Last month Mr Newman said people still hoping to be compensated for flood damage could go to court and promised his government would not make it "difficult for them".

"If people can prove their case, than of course they should go to court," he said on July 26.

"I'm just saying...there was a Commission of Inquiry, there was no finding that said that "there was a flooding issue caused by the government, the dams" and therefore we're not just going to hand out money to people."

He said it would be financially irresponsible for the government to compensate victims.

"We've got a responsibility to protect everybody in Queensland from just handing out money."

The US Army is currently assisting with a review of the dam operation manual, which the CMC found was "flawed".

The review, which was recommended by the Commission, will be completed in October.

Originally published as Newman dams handouts for flood victims