March 2026

New Fossil Park is Now Open

The new Ladonia Fossil Park is now open for fossil hunting between dawn and dusk. A grand opening event is planned for later this year.

The park includes a covered pavilion with picnic tables and a paved pathway to the river, with benches along the way. Fossil hunters are asked to pack out what they pack in and respect posted guidelines. Fossil hunting is not permitted in the Mitigation Area west of the park.

Updates will be provided on the project website and social media (Facebook and X).

Designed to Welcome: A Sneak Peek at the Future Visitor Center

New renderings offer a glimpse of the future Lake Ralph Hall Visitor Center and Office Building.

The future Visitor Center features a main lobby, flexible office and meeting spaces, and a large event area. The building is designed to serve as Upper Trinity’s lake administration and operations offices, while also offering spaces for visitors and local community.

The building is anticipated to break ground in summer 2026, with completion scheduled for next year.

Note on the Renderings: These renderings are conceptual and intended for illustrative purposes only. Final design details, materials, dimensions, and features may vary, so the completed project may be slightly different.

Dam, Spillway & Weir Progress

Construction at Lake Ralph Hall continues to advance steadily, with several key milestones expected at the dam and spillway.

Crews are now finishing placement of soil cement along the face of the dam, an important step that strengthens and protects the embankment. Work is also wrapping up on the North Sulphur River plug, the portion of the dam constructed over the original river channel, with completion expected by the end of March.

Meanwhile, activity remains focused on the spillway’s labyrinth weir: the distinctive, zig-zag structure designed to safely pass large storm flows. Construction of the weir is ongoing, with approximately six weeks remaining before this major feature is complete.

Each of these milestones moves the project closer to delivering a resilient, modern reservoir that will serve generations to come.