Mark in Texas History: Duck Creek soil erosion project marked piece of Texas history
1930s research station in Lindale helped East Texas farmers combat soil loss
LINDALE, Texas (KLTV) - Duck Creek rises two miles north of Carroll in northwestern Smith County. It runs 13 miles just south of the Sabine River and north of Lindale Club Lake.
In the 1930s, many East Texas farmers started seeing crops become smaller and smaller. After some research it was determined that part of the problem was caused by the fact that farmers planted crops in rows that made it the perfect place for soil erosion to develop.
The red clay was covered by gravel, along with fine sand. Near the creek’s mouth the soils would not drain properly.
In 1929 the Duck Creek soil erosion project was established to find ways to control it. Five years later, the watershed became the site of a project for testing erosion-control procedures.
Landowners in the 25,000-acre area worked with federal officials to put a conservation plan in place for each farm. The Civilian Conservation Corps, under President Franklin Roosevelt, provided a labor force for constructing dams and fences and planting trees and grass in Lindale.
Engineers, biologists, agronomists and foresters began using the Duck Creek area for training. A historical marker was put on the site of the Depression-era research station in 1984.
The historical marker is located at 19482 Old Mineola Highway in Lindale.
Copyright 2026 KLTV. All rights reserved.
