Water District Moves Closer to Turkey Peak Land Needs for Construction of Reservoir

June 28

18:20 2023

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Today the Palo Pinto County Water Municipal District #1 announced that they are getting closer to acquiring all the land necessary to build the long anticipated reservoir that will help supply water to the community.

General Manager Howard Huffman says the PPCMWD #1 says they have acquired 93% of the land necessary for the project. The following statement was released by Huffman:

The Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 (District) has now completed the purchase of 93% of the land for the impoundment portion of the Turkey Peak Reservoir. The properties making up the remaining 7% are undergoing final design details for roadway and utility relocates and are targeted to be under contract this calendar year. In addition to securing the remaining 7% of the impoundment acreage, the District is also finalizing its plan to satisfy the United States Army Corp of Engineers Clean Water Act 404 permit requirements for mitigation which includes downstream conservation easements and will be engaging with those interested parties in the Fall of 2023.

In addition, the District has completed 100% of the dam design plans and specifications for the dam, an important milestone in the implementation of the Turkey Peak Reservoir Project as well as completion of all geotechnical investigations, acquired a water right from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and attained a Clean Water Act 404 permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is one of many implementation steps to develop this critically needed piece of infrastructure. The design plans have been reviewed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Dam Safety Division and are now scheduled to be under review by the Texas Water Development Board in the Fall of 2023. Efforts continue with environmental and archaeological studies, watershed mitigation plan implementation, survey, utility relocations, and coordination with the county and other state and federal agencies.

The Turkey Peak Reservoir is a cornerstone of the District’s long-range water planning. The reservoir will be built downstream of Lake Palo Pinto, the area’s only source of drinking water. The new reservoir will provide additional water supply and increased drought resiliency for the District and its customers. During the current drought, the District encourages all citizens to be diligent in water conservation practices to protect and prolong the existing supplies from Lake Palo Pinto.
The District continues to work with our state elected officials as well as the Texas Water Development Board on financing options for the construction and completion of the project. The Palo Pinto Municipal Water District No. 1 provides water supply for more than 35,000 citizens, serving the communities within Palo Pinto County and Western Parker County as well as Lake Palo Pinto Area WSC and the R.W. Miller Power LLC.

More information about the project can be found at https://www.turkeypeakreservoir.com.