A permit has been granted to allow construction to begin on the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir in Fannin County, according to a news release from the North Texas Municipal Water District.

The $1.2 billion reservoir will be a key source of water to meet the growing needs in North Texas, Robert Thurmond, president of the NTMWD's Board of Directors, said in the release.

This is the first reservoir to be built in Texas in 30 years. Construction on the lake is expected to begin this spring with a completion date in 2022.

"This is a major milestone for a critical project that will provide water to 1.7 million people living in about 80 communities in North Texas," Thurmond said.

According to the release, a permit for construction was required under the federal Clean Water Act and involved a process that required avoiding and minimizing environmental impacts and identifies ways to offset impacts that do occur.

The NTMWD has been working to gain approval of this project for 15 years, according to the release. More information about the reservoir can be found in our previous coverage here.