Timeline

The Trinity River Authority was created by an Act of the 54th Texas Legislature in 1955 and charged with the following functions:

  • Maintaining a master plan for basin-wide development
  • Serving as local sponsor for federal water projects
  • Providing services authorized by the Texas Legislature within TRA's territory

The following is a timeline of major developments in the Trinity River and TRA:

1690

The Trinity River is originally discovered in 1687 by Robert Cavelier de La Salle, but later named La Santisima de la Trinidad — Spanish for "The Most Holy Trinity" — in 1690 by General Alonso de León when he rediscovers it while searching for a French outpost near Lavaca Bay. The timing of his discovery? Two days before the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity.

Location of the discovery of the Trinity River

Source: http://orgulloneoleones.blogspot.com/2016/02/alonso-de-leon-el-mozo.html

1836

Settlement begins and advances rapidly up the Trinity valley from Anderson County during the period of the Texas Republic.  Numerous packet boats steam up the river, bringing provisions such as groceries and dry goods and taking back cotton, sugar and animal hides.

1841

The founding of Dallas leads to interest in the development of the Trinity River's navigational potential.

1852

Congress authorizes a survey of the Trinity River. The resulting Army engineer's report estimates that navigation of the river is practicable. After this, boats travel the Trinity as far north as Trinidad in Henderson County and Porter's Bluff in Navarro County.

1870

River traffic begins to diminish due to construction of railroads leading to Dallas.

1892

The Trinity River Navigation Company is formed to re-establish riverboat transportation and to compete with the railroads' increased freight rates.

1893

The good ship Snag Boat Dallas of Dallas was employed to clear debris (called “snags”) out of the Trinity River in order to make the river navigable to ships. Dallas, it was imagined, could be a port city to the Gulf of Mexico. Harvey Jr. and Snag Boat Dallas landed in Dallas to mark the 1st reopening of navigation of the Trinity from Galveston to Dallas on 5/24/1893.

1894

Trinity River Navigation Co. secures federal aid for the navigation project.

1908

A 10-inch rainfall in the upper Trinity basin causes the most devastating flood on record, killing 11 people and causing more than $5 million in damage.

1931

Joint session of Dallas and Fort Worth CoCs results in the formation of Trinity River Canal Association.

1941

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends construction of ship channel to Liberty, construction of channel to Fort Worth, and construction of five upstream reservoirs for flood control, water supply, and navigation.

1955

TRA is created by an Act of the 54th Legislature.  Much of the political activity surrounding its early years is facilitated by an ad hoc citizens' group, the Trinity Improvement Association.

1958

Congress authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a comprehensive survey of the Trinity River. The first Trinity River watershed master plan is completed.

1959

TRA's Central Regional Wastewater System begins operation to serve four-member cities: Farmers Branch, Grand Prairie, Irving and a portion of western Dallas.

1963

In 1963 the plan for making the Trinity River navigable by barges was approved by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and in 1965, Congress, with President  Lyndon Baines Johnson 's backing, passed legislation authorizing the Trinity River Project, a package of flood-control and navigation projects that included a barge canal more than 300 miles long connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area with the Gulf of Mexico. However, due to the growing budget, the plan would be later met with a vote to continue the project.

1965

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' report is approved by Congress, and the president approves the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1965.

1968-1979

David H. Brune becomes TRA's first General Manager.

1969

To help the city of Houston satisfy its water demand, Lake Livingston was funded, built, and operated by TRA under the terms of a 1964 contract with the city of Houston. This contract provides that Houston has water rights to 70 percent of the lake’s water supply yield and TRA has the remaining 30 percent.

1970

TRA's Ten Mile Creek Regional Wastewater System begins service to Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Ferris, and Lancaster.

1973

In 1973 the Trinity River Authority asked voters to approve a property tax to finance $150 million of the estimated $1 billion project. The measure drew strong support from the lower Trinity valley region, but voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area rejected it by a margin of two to one. As a result, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers abandoned the project, and, for a time at least, the dream of a navigable Trinity.

1974

TRA's Tarrant County Water Supply Project begins providing treated water to Bedford and Euless. The first basin-wide water quality plan is completed.

1979-2011

Danny F. Vance becomes TRA's second General Manager.

1980

TRA's Huntsville Regional Water Supply System begins operation under contract with the city of Huntsville.

1981

TRA's Livingston Regional Water Supply System begins operation to supply water to the city of Livingston.

1983

TRA's Trinity County Regional Water Supply System was founded to provide water to Trinity, Groveton, the Westwood Shores Municipal Utility District, and the Glendale, Trinity Rural, and Riverside Water Supply corporations.

1988

Trinity River Authority’s Central Regional Wastewater System operates the largest urban water reclamation and reuse program in Texas.

The chlorine injector, located in the front portion of a chlorine contact basin, is part of the process that helps provide up to 17 MGD of recycled water to the Las Colinas canals, as well as for the irrigation of numerous area golf courses.

1990

TRA's Denton Creek Regional Wastewater System begins serving Fort Worth, Haslet, Roanoke, and the Circle T Municipal Utility District No. 1 (formerly Lake Turner Municipal Utility District No. 1).

1991

TRA's Red Oak Creek Regional Wastewater System begins serving Cedar Hill, portions of DeSoto, Glenn Heights, Lancaster, Ovilla, and Red Oak. The Texas Legislature passes the Clean Rivers Act.

1997

The Texas Legislature passes Senate Bill No. 1, spurring the first round of regional water planning.

1999

Wallisville Saltwater Barrier Project is completed.

2005

TRA's Mountain Creek Regional Wastewater System begins operation serving Grand Prairie, Midlothian, and Venus. The city of Mansfield was added on December 1, 2015.

2011

J. Kevin Ward becomes TRA's third General Manager.

2013

The Trinity River Authority’s Central Regional Wastewater System celebrated a momentous achievement on Sept. 19 when General Manager Kevin Ward announced that CRWS had treated and discharged ONE TRILLION GALLONS of wastewater during a 21-year period without any permit violations.

2015

R.C. Thomas Hydroelectric Project groundbreaking at Lake Livingston Dam.

2016 & 2019

Congratulations, TRA for being selected as a Utility of the Future! The Utility of the Future Recognition Program awards the exceptional performance of domestic and international water systems for innovative and forward-thinking practices. The program is defined by water utility leaders who pioneer innovative technologies and practices that focus on resource recovery, sustainability and efficiency.

Source: http://orgulloneoleones.blogspot.com/2016/02/alonso-de-leon-el-mozo.html