Reference Documents

This 2028 document for the City of Canton recommends purchasing water, drilling additional wells, and Mill Creek as the preferred site for constructing a new reservoir. ​

 

This recommendation is based on several factors:

1. Higher Yield: Mill Creek provides a higher firm yield during drought conditions.

2. Fewer Infrastructure Impacts: Mill Creek affects fewer miles of road, fewer transmission lines, and fewer property parcels compared to Grand Saline Creek. ​

3. Water Rights Availability: The availability of water rights is more favorable for Mill Creek  than for Grand Saline Creek.

4. Environmental Considerations: Mill Creek spills more frequently, which is beneficial for maintaining reservoir levels. ​

 

The recommendation aligns with the goal of providing a reliable and sustainable water supply for the City of Canton.

The document is a study conducted by Johnson and Pace Incorporated (JPI) for the City of Canton, Texas, to evaluate the feasibility of constructing the Grand Saline Creek Reservoir as a long-term water supply solution. ​ While the study provides detailed analyses, several inconsistencies and limitations affect the reliability of its conclusions. Two of these areas are highlighted below:

​

Population and Water Demand:

• Canton’s population is projected to grow from 3,581 (2010 Census) to 24,313 by 2070 (3.7% growth rate). ​ A higher growth rate (6.2%) projects this population by 2049, but the document does not clarify which rate is more realistic.

​​

Hydrologic Data Limitations:

• The hydrologic data used for modeling is based on the 1940–1998 period, excluding more recent weather patterns and droughts (e.g., post-2010), which may affect the reliability of firm yield estimates.

​​

Conclusion:

• While the study concludes that the Grand Saline Creek Reservoir can support Canton’s growth for decades, inconsistencies in population projections, firm yield values, environmental flow considerations, and hydrologic data limitations suggest the need for further refinement and validation before proceeding with the project.

Residents of Grand Saline Creek oppose the proposed Reservoir, citing flawed population growth projections, unnecessary water needs, and environmental, economic, and community harm.  Stating Canton can meet long-term water needs through alternatives including purchasing water.  

 

The project is seen as unjustified and potentially driven by recreational motives.  They urge Region D to remove the reservoir from the 2026 plan & petition against Canton's water rights claim.

​

Everyone was encouraged to write their own letters to tell specifically how it affects them.  ​

Grand Saline Resolution 2025-13 to repeal the resolution supporting the City of Canton's effort to pursue construction of a new reservoir for water supply needs.

​

Adopted on July 22, 2025.

The City of Canton's proposed alternate plan, detailed in an April 22, 2025, document, involves obtaining water rights to the Grand Saline Creek.

 

If approved it will impact 5,615 acres and over 143 rural properties in Grand Saline/Canton.

​

Their plan is to dam the creek by FM1652, to create a municipal water supply reservoir. 

 

According to the application, the city will acquire properties over 20+ years as they become available, with the option to invoke eminent domain earlier if they feel it's warranted for "'economic development".

 

Most affected landowners are listed in Attachment F, with some key owners, costs, and land totals omitted.

The document outlines the water needs and population growth projections for the City of Canton. Key points include:

1. Population Growth Projections:

   • The population is estimated at 3,422 as of January 1, 2004. ​

   • Four growth scenarios project population increases by 2025:

     • Scenario A (1% growth): 4,302 people.

     • Scenario B (2% growth): 5,396 people.

     • Scenario C (2.5% growth): 6,038 people.

     • Scenario D (5% growth): 10,511 people.

2. Water Needs for Future Growth:

   • To support this growth, the plan emphasizes managing existing water resources and expanding infrastructure, such as the wastewater plant, with funding from impact fees, bonds and regional partnerships.

   • Impact fees were suggested to offset costs for water infrastructure improvements.

3. Ultimate Population Capacity:

   • The City estimated their ultimate population capacity, based on development potential of vacant residential land and infrastructure, as 34,268 people.

​

NOTE: The 2023 Comprehensive Plan does not explicitly revise the 2004 Comprehensive Plan’s population projections. It shifts focus to water/wastewater revenue (22%) without addressing the 2004’s water resource or infrastructure estimates. 

Funding is hard to get for reservoir projects. The only way to recoup costs is sell the water or to turn the lake into a tourist destination.

​

This Sulpher Springs article shows that was their plan in 2009.  The new major reservoir in East Texas, Bois d’Arc Lake, supports this as well.

Commissioners Court Concerns:

• The project would require acquiring significant private property, potentially using eminent domain. ​

• Thousands of acres of productive agricultural land would be removed, impacting the tax base of Van Zandt County and the Grand Saline Independent School District. ​

• Long-term financial implications for local public services.​

Resolution:

• The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court opposes the reservoir project if it involves eminent domain or removes substantial acreage from the tax rolls. ​

• Alternative solutions should be prioritized to avoid involuntary displacement of landowners and tax base loss. ​

Adopted on August 5, 2025.