In Need of Water to Grow, North Texas Looks to Controversial Reservoir

The Dallas-Fort Worth region is seeking to boost its water supply by building a new reservoir that opponents claim would destroy thousands of farms, homes, and jobs.

1 minute read

November 12, 2021, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


drinking water fountain

Darwin Bell / Flickr

With a regional population projected to grow to almost 15 million people by 2070 and worsening drought brought on by climate change, water planners in North Texas are proposing conservation and mitigation measures that include a controversial reservoir, reports Bret Jaspers.

The proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir would flood 66,103 acres and provide additional water to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 

The Marvin Nichols Reservoir is sponsored by three water wholesalers, including the North Texas Municipal Water District, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. Those agencies sell to utilities all across the metroplex. The water from Marvin Nichols Reservoir would serve people from Anna to Benbrook, Kaufman to Chico.

Many local residents oppose the project, arguing that other conservation measures could enhance the region's water supply without the environmental and financial damage the reservoir would bring. But cities in the area have failed to enforce watering restrictions or encourage less water-intensive landscaping, while water costs remain low. As Jaspers notes, "R.J. Muraski, an assistant deputy with the North Texas Municipal Water District, said 'water’s very, very reasonable right now in the Metroplex.'"

With the future of the reservoir still uncertain, residents wait to find out whether they will be forced to relocate. 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 in KERA News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

45 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

2 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

4 hours ago - UNM News