East Texas-area water planning group voices strong opposition to Marvin Nichols Reservoir
By Zak Wellerman
CBS19, February 21, 2025
TITUS COUNTY, Texas — A water planning group that oversees 19 East Texas counties is showing its opposition to the highly contested Marvin Nichols Reservoir.
The proposed reservoir seeks to provide more water for Dallas-Fort Worth area residents; however, several Northeast Texans say the project would take away private land acreage. The proposal is for the reservoir to be built on Sulphur Rivers and upstream at the White Oak Creek in Franklin, Titus and Red River counties. Organizers want to see it supplying water by 2050.
On Wednesday, the North East Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region D) approved its Initially Prepared Plan for 2026 Region D Water Plan, which has forceful language condemning the inclusion of Marvin Nichols in any regional plan or the State Water Plan.
In its statement, Region D said the reservoir, if approved, would negatively impact the environment, agriculture, rural areas and other natural resources.
“In order to be included in any regional water plan or The State Water Plan, a proposed project must protect the agricultural and natural resources of the State. The proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir would inundate vast amounts of agricultural and timber lands in Northeast Texas,” the statement read. “In addition, this project will require very substantial acreage to be removed from production for mitigation of this project.”
Region D said in its statement that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir should be removed from the State Water Plan and that Region C, which makes up the Dallas-Fort Worth area, seek other ways to meet their future water needs.
The group suggested that Region C consider conservation reuse, reduction of water losses, and reallocation of abundant resources currently available (Toledo Bend, Texoma and other existing reservoirs).
“Region D is willing and able to work and assist Region C in exploring these potential resources,” the statement read.