Llano River communities fight former oil executive’s plan for a private dam



A water tower is seen beyond a section of the South Llano river Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction.

Linda Fawcett stands in front of her painting “Water Witch,” in her dining room Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Named after the moniker used to describe a person who used dowsing rods to search for water underground, the painting depicts Fawcett’s biggest fear of the Llano River going dry.

Linda Fawcett stands in front of her painting “Water Witch,” in her dining room Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Named after the moniker used to describe a person who used dowsing rods to search for water underground, the painting depicts Fawcett’s biggest fear of the Llano River going dry.

Buck Lake, an oxbow lake, seen at the South Llano River State Park Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Buck Lake was formed from a meander of the South Llano River as it was cut off through geologic change, a process that can take anywhere from a few years to several decades.

Buck Lake, an oxbow lake, seen at the South Llano River State Park Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Buck Lake was formed from a meander of the South Llano River as it was cut off through geologic change, a process that can take anywhere from a few years to several decades.

Left: Linda Fawcett in her garden on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Fawcett is the president of the Llano River Watershed Alliance and has expressed serious concerns about the proposed construction of a private dam along the South Llano River by former CEO of Phillips 66, Greg Garland. Right: A golf course is seen bordering Cedar Creek, a tributary of the South Llano River, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Junction.

Left: Linda Fawcett in her garden on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. Fawcett is the president of the Llano River Watershed Alliance and has expressed serious concerns about the proposed construction of a private dam along the South Llano River by former CEO of Phillips 66, Greg Garland. Right: A golf course is seen bordering Cedar Creek, a tributary of the South Llano River, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Junction.





More than half of Texas dams are privately owned

Left: A natural spring is seen on the Blue Mountain Peak Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Right: Rancher and conservationist Richard Taylor on his ranch on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Taylor is the owner of the 832-acre Blue Mountain Peak Ranch, an eco-ranch dedicated to increasing water recharge into the area’s aquifer and local species diversity. He fears the proposed construction of a private dam along the South Llano River will slow the river’s flow and impact the Llano watershed.

Left: A natural spring is seen on the Blue Mountain Peak Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Right: Rancher and conservationist Richard Taylor on his ranch on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Taylor is the owner of the 832-acre Blue Mountain Peak Ranch, an eco-ranch dedicated to increasing water recharge into the area’s aquifer and local species diversity. He fears the proposed construction of a private dam along the South Llano River will slow the river’s flow and impact the Llano watershed.

Richard Taylor, a rancher and conservationist, gives a tour of his remote Blue Mountain Peak Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Taylor purchased the ranch in 2001 and quickly began to remove all of the invasive Ashe Juniper trees in an effort to ecologically restore his land to its native state. Since the completion of the restoration, Taylor says multiple natural springs have emerged throughout his property, each of which feeds the Llano watershed.

Richard Taylor, a rancher and conservationist, gives a tour of his remote Blue Mountain Peak Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Mason County. Taylor purchased the ranch in 2001 and quickly began to remove all of the invasive Ashe Juniper trees in an effort to ecologically restore his land to its native state. Since the completion of the restoration, Taylor says multiple natural springs have emerged throughout his property, each of which feeds the Llano watershed.

A customer exits the West Bear Creek General Store after making a purchase on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. A sign outdoors reads “Pray For Rain” as local residents endure exceptional drought conditions according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

A customer exits the West Bear Creek General Store after making a purchase on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. A sign outdoors reads “Pray For Rain” as local residents endure exceptional drought conditions according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

From left, Linda Fawcett, Art Mudge and Glen Coleman walk a portion of Fawcett’s property that was used as a hunting ground during her childhood Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction.

From left, Linda Fawcett, Art Mudge and Glen Coleman walk a portion of Fawcett’s property that was used as a hunting ground during her childhood Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction.

Left: Superintendent of the South Llano River State Park Cody Edwards at the park’s headquarters on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. While Edwards can’t take a stance on the proposed construction of a private dam on the South Llano River, he said preserving the river’s flow is important for protecting the bass and the entire river ecosystem. “The Texas Identity is unique and I think that our natural heritage is an integral part of that, so protecting [the Llano River] is protecting who we are,” Edwards says. Right: The South Llano River seen at Boone’s Crossing Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Kimble County.

Left: Superintendent of the South Llano River State Park Cody Edwards at the park’s headquarters on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Junction. While Edwards can’t take a stance on the proposed construction of a private dam on the South Llano River, he said preserving the river’s flow is important for protecting the bass and the entire river ecosystem. “The Texas Identity is unique and I think that our natural heritage is an integral part of that, so protecting [the Llano River] is protecting who we are,” Edwards says. Right: The South Llano River seen at Boone’s Crossing Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, in Kimble County.



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