Richland-Chambers is a creek-country lake, not just a shoreline

Richland-Chambers is easier to read as two creek valleys held by one dam. The water lies about twenty miles southeast of Corsicana. It follows Richland Creek and Chambers Creek, then spreads into both Navarro and Freestone counties. It is a Tarrant Regional Water District lake used for water supply, flood control, irrigation, and recreation. It is working water, not just weekend water.

The creek shape still shows on a map and from a boat. The reservoir sits east-southeast of Corsicana on US 287. Light to moderate plants grow in the coves and creek arms, including pondweed and water-stargrass along parts of the shore. An old Trinity River levee forms an underwater crescent near the place where the Richland and Chambers arms meet.

For Navarro County, this is a different lake story from Navarro Mills. Richland-Chambers has open water, long fingers, marinas, coves, and a wide horizon. It gives the county a reservoir identity that is more than permits and lot lines. The creeks are still in the map, even after the lake covered them.