An analysis of rural subdivision development on selected reservoirs in the Trinity River Basin Texas

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to determine the extent to which rural subdivision development, appearing as land marketed for vacation land or lot sale, was occurring on lands in the periphery of major, non-controlled, man-made reservoirs in the Trinity Basin of East Texas and to characterize such subdivision development with a summary description of selected study areas. Study areas include Cedar Creek Reservoir located in Henderson County and Lake Livingston situated on land in San Jacinto, Walker, trinity and Pol counties. Data were collected by the author and included a thirty-seven county survey of subdivision development. The survey attempted to establish the location and size of a pre-defined typology of subdivisions. Types of subdivisions sought include: (1) country estate; (2) mobile home; (3) conventional; (4) new town development; (5) resort-open space communities; and (6) retirement communities. Survey data were used to establish subdivision development patterns in the study region. Regional subdivision development patterns were used to locate subdivision impact areas as they relate to man-made reservoirs of 100,000 acre feet or more. Major subdivision impact was found on two of seven reservoirs. Further investigation disclosed that subdivision development was located near the water-line of both reservoirs. A county record documentary survey was utilized to determine the total population of subdivisions in a two mile radius of the normal water level which defined the study area..