Bois d’Arc Lake Opens for Recreation
The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) has opened its newest major reservoir, Bois d’Arc Lake, northeast of Bonham, in Fannin County and about 60 miles north of Dallas, for public access. It provides recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing and hunting- as well as providing water to around 2.2 million people in areas including Collin County, Frisco, and Plano. Residents in these areas will soon be drinking water from Bois D’Arc Lake.
NTMWD constructed three public access areas with boat launch ramps, day-use picnic areas, and restrooms: FM 897 Boat Ramp at 740 County Road 2945, in Dodd City; South 1396 Boat Ramp at 1191 Old 1396 South, in Windom; and North 1396 Boat Ramp at 1510 Old 1396 North, in Telephone.
Executive Director and General Manager Jenna Covington says, “We recognize that public access areas may be crowded in the upcoming weeks, especially during holidays and weekends. Throughout this time, we encourage patience and courtesy to fellow boaters, lake staff and law enforcement.”
While not open to the public, the nearby Riverby Ranch property was purchased as part of the environmental mitigation for the Bois d’Arc Lake project to restore the balance of nature in the area where the lake was constructed and create a habitat for wildlife.
Willow Branch Creek cuts through the center of the ranch area, carrying more than 15 square miles of water that fall within its watershed. NTMWD restored this creek to its original healthy state, reestablishing its wavy, winding shape and healthy riverside profile. The entire creek system had been eroded down to 20 feet below the original floodplain, and in some places, the channel had been eroded as wide as 60 feet.
Restoration put it back on its floodplain and delivered two miles of restored channel system that had been abandoned for decades, slowing the speed of water to ensure it would collect in the wetlands and support wildlife.
More than 100 species of birds have been observed on the wetlands thus far, many of which are of high conservation concern. As the thousands of acres of forest habitats mature, the bird population is anticipated to more than double, bringing more mammals such as raccoons, foxes, and bobcats.
