Bachman Lake Dam Rehab
Dallas Water Utilities is rehabilitating the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway to minimize flood risk, ensure dam safety and meet regulatory requirements.
Construction underway on the Bachman Dam and Spillway
Bachman Dam was originally built in 1901 to supply water for Dallas. Today, it is no longer used for water supply yet serves an important role in mitigating flooding of nearby properties, infrastructure and businesses.
While the dam has only needed minor repairs over its lifetime, larger improvements are required to minimize flood risk and comply with regulations for dam safety. Trail improvements are also needed for public safety and better accessibility.
Lake dredging was completed in Spring 2023 to restore the lake’s depth. Construction on the dam, lake spillways and trail improvements began in December of 2023.
Aerial photograph of Bachman Lake Park and its surrounding area located in Dallas, Texas, taken in 1954.
Haskins, Squire. [Aerial View of Bachman Lake Park and Surrounding Area], photograph, 1954; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1030325/: accessed November 21, 2019), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dallas Municipal Archives.
Project Overview
Learn more about the dam and spillway rehabilitation.
Construction Timeline
View the project’s current schedule for completion.
Contact Us
Questions about the project? Reach out for more info.
Latest News
June Bachman eNews
Jun 27, 2025
Construction crews have made significant progress over the last couple of months, transforming the new Bachman Lake Spillway. Crews place temporary concrete forms and steel supports to hold the concrete’s weight until it sets. Then, they steadily and carefully pour...
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To replace the Bachman Lake Dam spillway, construction crews removed the old railway bridge serving Bachman Water Treatment Plant. The multi-day demolition is now complete — check out the footage below! A new bridge will be built over the rehabilitated spillway.
Para reemplazar el desagüe de la presa del Lago Bachman, los equipos de construcción retiraron el antiguo puente ferroviario que daba servicio a la planta de tratamiento de agua Bachman. La demolición duró varios días, pero ya se ha finalizado. ¡Vea las imágenes que aparecen a continuación! Se construirá un nuevo puente sobre el desagüe rehabilitado.
City of Dallas Water Utilities, City of Dallas - City Hall, Friends of Bachman Lake, Bachman Lake Together, Dallas Rowing Club, Dallas Love Field
Another project milestone has been reached! The work for the new Bachman Lake Dam’s main spillway is over halfway completed. Construction crews continue pouring concrete for the signature zig-zag labyrinth weir. The auxiliary (secondary) spillway is also making great progress.
¡Hemos alcanzado otro hito del proyecto! El trabajo en el nuevo desagüe principal de la presa del Lago Bachman está a más de la mitad terminado. Los equipos de construcción siguen vertiendo hormigón para el desagüe en forma de laberinto en zigzag. El desagüe auxiliar (secundario) también está avanzando a buen ritmo.
City of Dallas Water Utilities City of Dallas - City Hall, Friends of Bachman Lake, Bachman Lake Together, Dallas Rowing Club, Dallas Love Field
Every construction project requires teamwork, and Bachman Lake Dam is no exception. City of Dallas Water Utilities staff is working closely with Stantec and Rebcon, LLC teams to complete this essential dam and public safety project. You can see the new labyrinth weir walls in the background.
Todo proyecto de construcción requiere trabajo en equipo, y la presa del Lago Bachman no es una excepción. El personal de City of Dallas Water Utilities ha estado trabajando en colaboración con equipos de construcción de Stantec y Rebcon, LLC para completar este proyecto esencial para la seguridad de la presa y el público. En el fondo se pueden ver las nuevas paredes del desagüe en forma de laberinto.
City of Dallas - City Hall, Friends of Bachman Lake, Bachman Lake Together, Dallas Rowing Club, Dallas Love Field
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