More than one water solution | Opinion

By Amy Martin

Dallas Morning News, May 28, 2025

Re: “Keep Marvin Nichols Reservoir in North Texas’ Water Plan,” Sunday Editorials.

It’s time to stop using 20th century methods to solve 21st century water woes. The recent, rather disingenuous, editorial assumes that Marvin Nichols Reservoir is the only solution.

Water could be pumped from the massive, underutilized Toledo Bend Reservoir, less than 60 miles farther than the proposed reservoir. Exponentially less eminent domain of land would be required.

Dallas is in dire need of enforcing water conservation methods. Residents use about 245 gallons per capita daily, 50% more than Houston and Austin residents. Lush lawns and swimming pools should not justify seizing ancestral land and decimating Red River County’s economy.

Dallas Water Utilities is a notorious water waster. Many millions of gallons were wasted on just one leak in the Great Trinity Forest that was ignored for months. DWU’s pipes leak like sieves.

None of these solutions involves high-engineering, heavy construction methods. It’s no coincidence that the proposed reservoir is named for Marvin C. Nichols of Region C Water Planning Group’s favorite engineering firm, Freese and Nichols.