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.

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.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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.