Project Overview
Dallas Water Utilities began dredging activities at Bachman Lake in early 2022 to remove sediment and debris accumulated over time. Dredging work was completed in April 2023. The contractor removed 154,441 cubic yards of sediment and 3,125 tons of debris from the lake. The dredging restored the lake’s water depth for recreational use and improved water quality.
On December 2023, the next phase of improvements focusing on dam an spillway improvements began at Bachman Lake. The improvements will increase the capacity of the existing service spillway and relocate the auxiliary spillway to mitigate flooding adjacent properties.
Bachman Lake Dam Characteristics
- Built in 1901 to form Bachman Lake
- First water supply reservoir in Dallas
- Now recreational use only
- Limited flood storage/attenuation
- Only minor repairs over the life of the dam
- Must protect downstream properties from 100-year flood event
Project Objectives
- Update hydrology and hydraulics of the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway
- Meet required regulatory flood capacity
- Remove sediment to return lake to recreational levels, a rowable lake
- Address Bachman Lake Dam structural and stability recommendations
- Coordination with Dallas Parks & Recreation on walking path revitalization
Why The Improvements Are Important
- Preserve dam integrity
- Restore water depth for recreational use
- Maintenance of embankment and spillway
- Trees/underbrush
- Erosion
- Seepage
Project Objectives
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Update hydrology and hydraulics of the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway
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Meet required regulatory flood capacity
-
Remove sediment to return lake to recreational levels, making it a row-able lake
-
Address Bachman Lake Dam structural and stability recommendations
-
Coordination with Dallas Parks & Recreation on walking path revitalization