Groundbreaking south of Savoy marks site of future lake

It was, everyone agreed, a beautiful day to be in the rolling hills of North Texas to celebrate the groundbreaking for a lake that comes with no controversy.

For Congressman Ralph Hall, it was a day away from the rancorous debate in Washington to watch an idea become reality in District 4.

For Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall, along with Fannin County Commissioners Ronnie Rhudy and Pat Hilliard, this project will mean better
flood control.

To conservationists on hand, a lake means erosion at this site will be halted and significantly slowed downstream.

And to landowners like Johnny Paul Stevens and C.B. Bryant, it is a little of all three.

A small crowd gathered Wednesday afternoon at Caney Creek Site 3A to turn the first dirt on a project that has been 25 years in the making.
This lake will actually be built just over four miles south of Savoy, Texas on a tributary of Caney Creek with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in charge of construction. When complete, the impoundment will cover between 29-36 acres.

“Water is the future of this country and you have to plan for it,” Congressman Hall told those attending the ceremony. “I’m proud to
come down here where people work together. I’m honored to be a part of this project.”

C.W. Jones, Chairman of the Fannin County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors, recalled what damage even a three-inch
rain once caused along the Caney Creek watershed before a series of impoundments began curtailing erosion and damage to roads and bridges.

“This is not just a fishing lake or a fun lake,” Mr. Jones explained. “These lakes help our commissioners keep these roads open. And none
of this would have happened without the support of your congressman.”

Sponsors for this project include the Water Control Improvement District, Soil and Water Conservation District,
Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Fannin County Commissioners Court.

Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall summed up the teamwork that allowed this improvement to take place.

“This is a celebration of your involvement,” Judge Hall remarked. “It required dedication on behalf of our congressman.
It required dedication on behalf of our commissioners. And it required dedication on behalf of these landowners.”

Information provided - North Texas e-News
by Allen Rich

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