Photo by Dana Stubbs

Co-Sponsored by The Corps of Engineers and
the Navarro County Historical Society

Navarro Mills Reservoir, Richland Creek, Texas

Navarro Mills Reservoir is the story of progressive thinking and cooperation on the part of local citizens, the Corps of Engineers and the Trinity River Authority.

Construction of the dam began on December 23, 1959, and was completed on May 10, 1963. At a cost of $9,598,000, the project provides flood protection to many acres of land along Richland Creek and in the Trinity River Basin. It also provides a dependable source of municipal water supply for the cities of Corsicana, Dawson, and Hubbard and a recreation resource that attracts over a million visitors annually.

The project derived its name from its proximity to the Navarro Mills Community, which was founded in 1860. The first flour mill in Navarro County was located nearby and was called Navarro Mills. This was the reason for the early settlement and its name.

During the course of construction archeological investigations in the lake area uncovered an Indian skeleton and a dinosaur tooth which have become a part of Navarro County heritage and are on display at Navarro County's Pioneer Village Museum in Corsicana.