Turkey Peak Reservoir project moves forward

PPC Municipal Water District No. 1 President
PALO PINTO COUNTY — Palo Pinto County Municipal Water District No. 1 has received the 100% design plans and specifications for the dam from the project engineer, an important milestone in the implementation of the Turkey Peak Reservoir project.
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 under review by the Texas Water Development Board.
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.
Other ongoing Turkey Peak Project activities include continued environmental and archaeological studies, mitigation plan implementation, survey, utility relocations, land acquisition, and coordination with the county and other state agencies.
The district has already completed a geotechnical investigation, preliminary and final design, obtained a water right from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and obtained a Clean Water Act 404 permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The Texas Water Development Board has previously approved financial assistance to the district from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas in the form of a low-interest loan to finance the acquisition and design phases of the project. The district continues to work with the Texas Water Development Board on financing options for the construction of the project.
The Palo Pinto Municipal Water District No. 1 provides water supply for more than 30,000 citizens, serving the communities of Mineral Wells, Graford, Parker County Special Utility District, Santo Special Utility District, North Rural Water Supply Corporation, Sturdivant-Progress Water Supply Corporation, Palo Pinto Water Supply Corporation, Millsap Water Supply Corporation, Lake Palo Pinto Water Supply Corporation and the Brazos Electric Power Co-op.
More information about the project can be found at www.turkeypeakreservoir. com.