Part Three: How New Infrastructure Supports a Sustainable Water Future
Welcome to Part THREE of Mustang’s new education series designed to help our community understand where our water comes from, how growth is affecting supply, and what it means for the future of North Texas.
AUBREY, TX (June 2, 2026)
How New Infrastructure Supports a Sustainable Water Future
Mustang’s service area is expanding quickly, and new development brings added demand to a water system that relies on limited natural resources. New infrastructure helps strengthen long-term reliability, but it is only one part of a broader sustainable water strategy.
Lake Ralph Hall is one of the newest water supply projects in the region, and understanding what it provides is key to understanding what the area’s water portfolio will look like over the next several decades.
Upper Trinity Regional Water District, which serves 29 communities in Denton County and portions of Collin and Dallas counties, is building the reservoir to help meet long‑term water needs by expanding the available surface water supply. TCEQ approved the state water rights permit in 2013. Once fully operational, it will supply treated water that can help manage demand on existing lakes during periods of high use or limited rainfall.
Understanding Lake Ralph Hall and Its Role in Our Supply
Lake Ralph Hall is located near Ladonia in Fannin County. Construction began in June 2021, and impoundment is scheduled for late 2026, which will allow the lake to begin filling.
The reservoir is the first major project of its kind approved in roughly 30 years. Once complete, the lake will cover 7,600 acres, just under 12 square miles, and will store about 59 billion gallons of water providing a total supply of up to 54 million gallons per day (MGD).
Although it is smaller than other sources, like Lewisville Lake and Lake Ray Roberts, both at roughly 29,000 acres, size alone does not determine the amount of water available to a community. Each lake has different conditions and permitted allocations, which means a smaller reservoir like Lake Ralph Hall can still add meaningful supply and strengthen the overall system.
For Mustang, the value of Lake Ralph Hall is tied to an increase in available water. It adds another surface water source to a system where existing lakes are already heavily used and supports the broader regional effort to diversify supplies in preparation for continued long‑term growth.
A Key Resource with Practical Constraints
Although Lake Ralph Hall strengthens the region’s overall surface water supply, it does not solve the challenges facing fast-growing communities. Surface water is still limited by rainfall, evaporation, and shared demand, and a new reservoir does not change how weather patterns or demand affect availability. In a region where many communities rely on a handful of lakes, demand can rise faster than rainfall can replenish them.
This is why new infrastructure is important, but not sufficient. In high-growth areas, demand continues to surpass the natural rate at which water sources can replenish, and long-term planning must account for that reality.
Connecting New Projects to Long-Term Water Planning
At Mustang, long-term water planning involves strengthening and stewarding all parts of the supply system, including surface water, groundwater, conservation, and infrastructure. Each of these contributes to overall reliability, and none can meet future needs on its own, which is why we take a whole water portfolio approach to meeting the needs of customers.
Lake Ralph Hall does provide an additional surface water source that can help support regional resilience, but will be most effective when combined with other efforts that help balance supply and demand over time.
Across the country, water providers are taking similar steps by diversifying their supplies and preparing for future needs. Mustang is not only aligned with national best practices, but is doing so in a way that reflects strong, proactive planning. By investing early and strengthening every part of the system, Mustang is helping set a higher standard for long‑term reliability in Texas. These efforts support a water system that remains dependable even as conditions, growth, and regional demands continue to change.
Building Momentum Toward a Reliable Water Future
As the region continues to grow, new infrastructure like Lake Ralph Hall will support a more reliable system, but it is only one part of the significant work ahead.
Mustang remains focused on responsible water management and long-term water portfolio planning – it’s how we have grown from just 50 connections to more than 45,000. With our focus on long-range planning, thoughtful decision-making, and community awareness, Mustang is working to ensure a reliable water future for the customers we serve.