The long-discussed Marvin Nichols Reservoir is gaining momentum. The
project, proposed on the main stem of the Sulphur River in Red River and Titus Counties, would
flood more than 66,000 acres of heritage farmland, hardwood forest and wetlands in Northeast
Texas to pipe water to the DFW Metroplex.
In response, landowners, business owners, community leaders, conservationists, and local
elected officials have formed a coalition opposing the Reservoir, launching a new campaign
called “Preserve Northeast Texas: Stop Marvin Nichols.” The coalition is fighting to protect the
region from one of the biggest transfers of private land to public in modern history.
“This project would have a devastating effect on our economy, drowning resources for our
timber and agriculture-based economy,” said Bill Ward, Owner of Ward Timber Company. “It
would also impact the area’s wildlife habitat and inundate archaeological and historic sites and
cemeteries, capturing thousands of acres of family lands.”
Water providers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are predicting a strain on the region’s future
water supply, based on expected population growth continued high per capita water use.
Rather than looking to viable solutions through conservation efforts and existing reservoirs, the
Metroplex has chosen to propose yet another reservoir to meet their water demands. In
addition to the land that would be flooded, the proposed reservoir would require that at least
another 130,000 acres be taken from private ownership to mitigate wildlife habitat losses
created by the reservoir.
