There is a huge water shortage coming in our very near future and it's not just in our area. Mark my words! One lake will not fix our water problem and once that happens, you are going to see a lot of very desperate humans. Our ground water level is also dropping and those of us who have water wells the past 20 yrs know just how bad it's gotten. Clean Water is the comodity of the future.

T Boone Pickens owns 70000 acres above the agillala aquifer..it ranges from Texas to West Virginia..he has invested more money in water than any other individual in the entire world...my family lives in the pan handle and his company Mesa oil owns our water rights. Has since 05'...edit..just talked with dad and he says his check comes from Mesa Water. He said Mesa is currently allowed to pump 1' per acre per year. That's what he gets paid 20% on.

A lot of validity in this thread. With a few bottom lines...

Too many folks (population density). Sensitive habitat loss (especially inundated bottomland hardwood forests). Imminent domain abuse. Lack of common sense conservation (too much carpetgrass, not enough recycled "grey water" in the city). Rural vs urban interests. Municipal/Agricultural/Industrial/Energy/Environmental water needs.

New fishing water (always exciting). Better long term water supply and drought resistance. Continued "green" spaces and water features in the city and around homes at reasonable financial expense.

There are unseen costs for the water consumed in the city along with intangible benefits associated with the consumptive use of water for the urban landscape.

If I lived in the city and was unable to have the water of the bayou, river, creek, bay, ocean, etc. nearby, I suppose a fountain, pond, waterfall, waterway, etc. would be better than no water nearby at all. Same if I did not have the trees, lakes, ponds, forests and prairies, the park, zoo, golf course, soccer field, backyard garden, would be better than no green space at all.

However, it is difficult for me to watch when I go to the city to work, mostly with water, and see how much is truly wasted or not put to best use. The same is true sometimes of irrigation for agriculture.

Before we go to building more gigantic reservoirs over extremely environmentally sensitive areas, we need to get a lot better at prioritizing, conserving, and recycling water.

Agreed! Most municipalities are implementing city code for new construction to have drip irrigation to help conserve. But it will take much more than that... Now let's go do some fishing on all these nice lakes they have built for us to drink!

As long as my boss is drawing air, there will be a fight against the lake. Bill Ward Ward Timber Co. Linden

My family has land that is very close to the proposed lake, over the last 10 + years we have been fighting it. In the past we had a chance but with the water bill being voted in it may be a lost cause.

You will never win, They will just imminent domain your land...........

The whole deal stinks. But government will always win. I understand both sides. I'd not want to loose my land either. However no matter where I lived I wouldn't want to be without water. Our population will grow. They will spread out from big cities and take up more land. What I hate is look at Detroit miles of homes empty. Why aren't they bulldozing them down starting over? We know why cause it cost money to bulldoze and get rid off. Can't do a whole neighborhood at once. Or the thiefs will be stealing the lumber. We're a wasteful species. Until we control our selves we will use up every resource and then complain it's time to control ourselves

I'm behind you 100%, that's the whole problem, too many people.

Pay me fair market so I can start over or buy a lake house with a little land somewhere. It'll be a shame to lose all that work and time invested there. I know we got years to go but I was hoping to pass it on to my kids.

Consumption/waste is just going to increase more and more. I agree about comments made about us needing to focus more on improving ways to conserve. I agree too about population control but disagree about comments about abortion, the pill etc. I would rather focus more on the borders and start with overhauling our immigration policies. Too many immigrants these days. They need water too.

I heard if lake Marvin Nichols does not receive approval to be built, the next project in line is Lake Columbia located south of Tyler.

http://www.anra.org/divisions/reservoirs/columbia/

That's all they will do, pay your fair market share and condemn your land and take it from you.

That lake is like only 12% of the size MN would be, if the states population continues to grow a the rate it has been marvin nichols WILL happen, period.

I agree with you boss we do need more water resources in Texas. As our population grows we need to keep pressure on elected officials to be proactive for our states current and future needs.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings to see three or four new lakes built in my lifetime.