City public works staff informed the Denison City Council that a federal risk‑and‑resilience assessment recommends closing public access to Randell Lake and designating the lake a high‑security area because it supplies the city's drinking water.

Ronnie Bates, Public Works Director, said the city is required under the American Water Infrastructure Act to complete a risk‑and‑resilience assessment for its water infrastructure; Denison’s last assessment was completed in 2020 and the city has completed the 2025 assessment with assistance from Plummer and Associates. "It was documented that Randell Lake should be closed to public access, and the lake be categorized as a high security area because Denison — because it's Denison's single source for drinking water," Bates said.

Bates told the council the primary concern is intentional or unintentional contamination of the single water source; the lake is roughly 300 acres and the city has no alternate drinking-water source that would dilute a contamination event. He said construction at the intake and related water projects led the city to temporarily close public access two years ago because of safety around trenches and equipment, and added that construction is expected to continue for several more years.

Bates recommended amending city code — specifically mentioning section 18‑138 — to remove public access and classify the lake as a high-security area. He said the ordinance change will be placed on a future council agenda for formal action.

Council took the update and did not vote; staff will return with an ordinance amendment for council consideration and a formal vote.