Bachman Project Update

Dear Residents and Project Stakeholders,

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) is progressing on the Bachman Lake Dredging and Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation Projects. DWU has awarded a construction services contract for dredging at Bachman Lake and is continuing engineering efforts for dam and spillway improvements. The construction contract for the first phase of improvements, lake dredging, was approved by the Dallas City Council on October 29, 2021.

Renda Environmental, Inc. will begin equipment mobilization in January 2022, with dredging activities beginning in February 2022. The contractor will use a dredging barge to pump silt to an off-site location, where the slurry will be “dewatered.” The dewatered sediment will be disposed of, while the water will be clarified and pumped back into Bachman Lake. Dredging will result in the removal of 370,000 cubic yards of accumulated sediment from the lake and restore water depth to a minimum of eight feet. This depth prevents invasive aquatic vegetation from taking hold and removes debris and trash from the lake bottom, improving water quality and restoring the lake to recreation levels.

Dam and spillway improvements are in the final design phase and planned for construction following the conclusion of the dredging work. These improvements will address Bachman dam structural and stability recommendations and ensure dam safety and regulatory compliance, address regulatory flood capacity, minimize flood risk, and allow residents to enjoy the lake for years to come. The completion of the final design and bidding of the Bachman Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation Project is expected to occur in Winter 2022/2023.

On February 2, 2022, Dallas Water Utilities will join the Friends of Bachman Lake Neighbors In the Know Meeting to provide a project update on the dredging project and the engineering design of the dam and spillway improvements. The latest information on the Bachman Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation Project and dredging can be found on the project website at bachmanlakedam.com. Residents and stakeholders may also follow the project on social media platforms @bachmanlakedam on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Below is an extended project timeline to be refined upon completing the Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation Final Design and considering criteria such as cost, schedule, constructability, and permitting.

Please let us know if you do not wish to continue receiving updates about this project. Additional project updates will be disseminated as the project moves forward.

For questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Dallas Water Utilities Project Manager, Mark S. Mihm, P.E., CDT, ENV SP at 214-670-4271 or [email protected].