Bachman Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bachman Lake |
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A Southwest Airlines jet lands at Dallas Love Field over Bachman Lake
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 Bachman Lake
Location in Texas
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| Location | Northwest Dallas, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°50′56″N 96°52′16″W / 32.84889°N 96.87111°W |
| Type | Artificial lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 205 acres (83 ha) |
| Surface elevation | 440 ft (130 m) |
| Settlements | Dallas |
Bachman Lake is a small, fresh water lake in northwest Dallas, Texas, USA. It covers about 205 acres (0.83 square kilometers). The lake is near Dallas Love Field airport, right under the flight path. It's also next to the nice Bluffview neighborhood.
At the west side of the lake, you can find Bachman Station. This station offers DART train service. You can catch the Green Line and Orange Line trains there.
Contents
How Bachman Lake Started
Bachman Lake was built in 1903. Workers created a dam on Bachman Branch to form the lake. It was meant to be a water source for the city of Dallas. However, it turned out to be too small for the growing city. This led to the building of White Rock Lake in 1911.
Today, the Bachman Water Treatment Plant still operates. It is the oldest water treatment plant in Dallas.
Fun Things to Do at Bachman Lake
Bachman Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. There is the Bachman Recreation Center. You can also find picnic areas and a playground.
A paved trail goes all the way around the lake. It is about 3.3 miles (5.3 kilometers) long. This trail is perfect for walking, running, or biking. Along the path, you will find fitness stations, benches, and water fountains. There are also restrooms and more picnic spots.
Bachman Lake is home to the Dallas Rowing Club. People enjoy sailing and rowing here. The lake has a marina and a boathouse for these activities. You can also go fishing in the lake. It is regularly stocked with catfish. (You can check the Stocking Schedule online). Please remember that feeding wildlife near the lake is not allowed. This is because of its location near the airport.
Lake Improvements and Projects
The Dallas Water Utilities has been working on the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation project. This project started in July 2019. It helps make sure the dam is safe and reduces flood risks. It also makes sure the lake follows all safety rules.
The project also includes cleaning out the lake. This is called dredging. Dredging helps make the lake healthier and improves water quality. This way, people can enjoy the lake for many years. The project is expected to be finished in 2025. You can learn more about it on the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway Rehabilitation project website.
In 2017, people noticed an island forming in the middle of the lake. This happened because of dirt and sand building up over time. In April 2019, a city group decided to keep the lake its current size. They recommended fixing the dam and dredging the lake to remove the extra dirt.
City voters approved money for park projects around Bachman Lake in 2017. These projects included:
- $3.9 million for the Bachman Recreation Center renovation. This work was finished in May 2021.
- $3.5 million for a new swimming center. It is called the "Bachman Family Aquatics Center" and opened in July 2023.
- $4 million for a new skate park. The design for this park was completed in 2020. Construction was finished in 2023.
Images for kids
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Bachman Lake Dam Spillway in 2020.
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Bachman Lake Dam Components
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This picture from 2020 shows how shallow the water became due to dirt build-up.
