I think once the water gets that high you are beyond any concerns of efficiency. Water is always trying to find its own level so the highest water (surface) is going to be the first to pass into the overflow. Think about it as an overflow without any teeth.
Once the water is 1-2"+ above the overflow you are still 'skimming' but it becomes more of a drain at that point.
So, yes, we are discussing the same thing