REWIND: Frisco’s growth almost dried up without water in the 1970s.

FRISCO, Texas. Growth in Frisco is no secret.

The population has exploded since the turn of the millennium, attracting corporate headquarters, the Dallas Cowboys, and the recently revealed Universal Studios theme park plans.

But almost 50 years ago, the bright future almost dried up before it had a chance to happen.

In 1976, the city of Frisco and its several thousand residents had no access to water. Although located on the shores of Lewisville Lake, the city receives its water from the ground and five wells.

The larger cities of Dallas and Denton had rights to the lake’s water, leaving the nascent Frisco community squeezed out and endangered.

The WFAA report, held at the SMU Jones Film Library, interviewed longest-serving Frisco Mayor Harold Bacchus about a shortage that threatened the future.

“We will be controlled by whoever owns the water,” Bacchus said. “If they don’t have water, they can’t live here.”

History predicted Frisco’s population would reach 65,000 by 1985.

As it turned out, growth was slower. According to US Census data, Frisco’s population only reached this level after 2000. The city took a big step in 2001 when they joined the North Texas Municipal Water District, helping to provide water that fueled exponential growth and population numbers. 200,000 plus today.