A new effort to protect the water quality and aquatic life of Caddo Lake is taking shape.  This effort is being referred to as the Caddo Lake Watershed Protection Plan. 

The first two meetings of stakeholders were held in 2006 and more meetings are anticipated.  This effort is a voluntary and is led by the stakeholders.  Stakeholders selected the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District to work as a watershed coordinator, at an April 2006 stakeholders' meeting.  Walt  Sears, General Manager of the District, is coordinating efforts to put work groups together to work on concerns of the stakeholders.  One of the items to work on is a grant request to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Caddo Lake Watershed Protection Plan relies heavily on volunteers, although  federal, state, and local organizations are actively participating in this effort.  Many public and private organizations already are working to protect Caddo Lake and the new Watershed Protection Plan will seek to incorporate these actions into the plan and to examine what additional actions are needed to assure the health of the watershed. 

The lake and its watershed face a number of challenges that are being identified by the stakeholders.  These issues include pollution affecting water quality; drought and water withdrawals; threats to habitats; floodplain management; and managing aquatic vegetation. Stakeholders will be given the opportunity to identify additional issues and will help set priorities in the Caddo Lake Watershed Protection Plan.