By Kevin Jefferies
Fannin County – Construction on Lake Ralph Hall in Fannin County may begin within 10 years. A preliminary engineering study by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District has found no geotechnical problems at the dam site or any environmental or cultural resource concerns to stop construction.
Lake Ralph Hall would cover 11,200 acres of land in Fannin County, filling up just north of Ladonia. The Upper Trinity Regional Water District has made Lake Ralph Hall a designated lake in the initial draft of its regional plan, which is expected to be published for public view this month.
Of the 30 communities served by the water district, only Flower Mound has voiced opposition to constructing the lake. The city cites major costs for little return and large increases to their water rates as some of the reasons for objecting to the new lake. Most other communities in the region have supported Lake Ralph Hall, which is expected to bring 30 million gallons of water a day to Upper Trinity's water supply and bring fresh, reliable water to the city of Ladonia.