Year three at Bois d’Arc Lake Mitigation restoration: Learning lessons at watershed-scale

14 min watch

The Bois d'Arc Lake Project is a major ecological restoration initiative spearheaded by the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Located just outside Dallas, this project aims to connect Bois d'Arc Lake to a large pipeline that will supply water to the growing communities of Northeast Texas. The construction of the reservoir will impact over 16,000 acres of various habitats, prompting the need for a comprehensive mitigation strategy.

To offset these impacts, NTMWD partnered with Resource Environmental Solutions (RES) to restore or create an equivalent amount of habitat within the same watershed. This restoration work, covering over 16,000 acres, involves reimagining a former agricultural site, River by Ranch, into a thriving ecological sanctuary. The project is vast and complex, encompassing the restoration of wetlands, grasslands, and forests, with over 4 million trees planted by hand.

The efforts focus on water management, with stream restoration taking place across various channels, from ephemeral streams to the main Willow Branch, which had been heavily eroded. By reintroducing natural meanders, the restoration helps slow water flow, rehydrate the soil, and support both plant and wildlife growth.

Throughout this project, as reflected in this video in year three, RES learned valuable lessons about land, water systems, and the importance of teamwork.

Topics: