Fannin County, Texas -- The Ladonia Fossil Park on Highway 34 is expected to close on July 8, 2021 to make way for Lake Ralph Hall construction. At the time when that park closes, Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) will open a temporary park on the east side of FM 2990 and north of the North Sulphur River to provide fossil hunters with access to the river bottom during construction of the new reservoir. This new location and access point will provide opportunities for additional and untapped fossil discoveries.
The old Ladonia Fossil Park is located within the footprint of the new reservoir and will be inundated when the reservoir fills. Signage will be installed at the old location to direct fossil hunters to the new, temporary park.
“Upper Trinity recognizes the importance of the Ladonia Fossil Park to the local community and visitors alike and we will work with the City of Ladonia to select a permanent location for the Ladonia Fossil Park, downstream of the reservoir where fossil hunters have easy access to the river bottom,” said Larry N. Patterson, Executive Director of Upper Trinity.
Upper Trinity Regional Water District will also be working with paleontologists from the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to preserve significant fossils should any be found during reservoir construction.
