White Rock Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White Rock Lake |
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White Rock Lake as viewed from the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
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 White Rock Lake
Location in Texas
White Rock Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Coordinates | 32°48′54″N 96°43′31″W / 32.81500°N 96.72528°W |
| Type | reservoir, recreation |
| Primary inflows | White Rock Creek |
| Primary outflows | White Rock Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,254 acres (507 ha) |
| Max. depth | 18' 0" (5.49 m) |
| Water volume | 18,160 acre⋅ft (0.02240 km3) |
| Surface elevation | 458.1 ft (139.6 m) |
| Settlements | Dallas |
White Rock Lake is a large reservoir located in north-east Dallas, Texas, in the United States. It was created by building a dam across White Rock Creek. This creek now flows into the lake and then continues south, eventually joining the Trinity River. The lake covers about 1,254 acres (5.1 square kilometers) in the eastern part of Dallas.
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History of White Rock Lake
Before White Rock Lake was built, the area was made up of farms owned by families like the Daniels and Coxes. The Daniel family moved to the White Rock area in the late 1830s or early 1840s. After the Civil War, the Cox family moved to land next to the Daniels. They shared a family cemetery, which is now known as the Cox Cemetery.
Construction of White Rock Lake began in 1910. Dallas needed more water, so the lake was built to help with the city's water supply. The lake was finished in 1911. After it was completed, more homes were built around the lake.
In the early 1930s, the Dallas Park Board, with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), started turning the lake's shores into a public park. The CCC was a program that helped young men find work during the Great Depression. The CCC camp at White Rock Lake had eight buildings where the workers lived. For several years, these men made the lake deeper and wider. They also built many stone buildings and improved the park for recreation.
During World War II, the U.S. Army used the CCC camp to welcome new soldiers. In 1943, the camp housed 403 German prisoners of war.
As Dallas grew and a drought hit, the demand for water increased. To keep the water clean for drinking, swimming was stopped at White Rock Lake on September 1, 1952.
By 1992, White Rock Lake Park had become a popular spot for fun activities in Dallas. It offered picnic areas and paths for biking and jogging. Today, the old Daniel and Cox farms are mostly gone, but the Cox Cemetery remains.
White Rock Dam: Controlling Water Flow
The White Rock Dam was finished in 1911. It is an earthen dam, meaning it's made of compacted earth. It stands 47 feet (about 14 meters) tall and is 2,550 feet (about 777 meters) long at the top. Its main purpose is to control storm water and provide water for the city. The dam can hold a lot of water, and the City of Dallas still owns and operates it.
Recreation at White Rock Lake
Even though White Rock Lake is no longer the main water source for Dallas, it's still a very popular place for fun activities. In the past, people even built cabins along its shores for getaways.
White Rock Lake offers many things to do, and it's especially known for rowing. There's a historic boathouse and dock where rowers of all ages launch their boats almost every day. Sometimes, there are even races that people watch from their sailboats or from around the lake.
Swimming was stopped in 1952 to keep the water clean, and motorized boats were banned in 1958. Today, you can enjoy activities like sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and standup paddleboarding. You can often rent equipment for these activities.
The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park. This park has a 9.33-mile (15-kilometer) trail that's great for hiking, running, and bicycling. You can also find the Bath House Cultural Center and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden nearby. There are several spots for fishing, and sailing is allowed on the lake.
The Bath House used to be a boathouse for different rowing teams. The White Rock Boathouse, started in 1930, first housed motorboats but later changed to hold sculling boats. This boathouse is now very large and houses boats for teams like SMU and Jesuit Prep.
Sailing Clubs on the Lake
The Corinthian Sailing Club was started in 1939 to promote sailing and sailboat racing in Dallas. The club holds races on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesday evenings. They also host several major races throughout the year. The club is known for its skilled sailors and well-organized races. Besides racing, the club has social events, teaches adults how to sail, and supports a program for younger sailors.
The White Rock Boat Club was formed in 1961 by members of the Corinthian Sailing Club. This club was created to provide affordable places to store boats and to help sell a type of catamaran called the Hellcat. Today, the club is still active on the lake.
White Rock Lake is also where the Southern Methodist University Sailing Club practices.
White Rock Marathon: A Big Race
Many events happen at White Rock Lake, including the White Rock Marathon. Part of the marathon course runs around the lake. The White Rock Marathon is considered one of the top 10 marathons in the United States, and it's a race that can help runners qualify for the Boston Marathon. The money raised from the marathon helps the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
Flora: Plants and Trees
The park around White Rock Lake is home to many different kinds of plants. There are dozens of tree varieties and over 100 types of grasses and other plants. It's a very popular park, with over a million visitors each year.
Today, the park has a natural environment with grasses, trees, and flowers that are native to North Texas. You can find black prairie grasses and other plants like Queen Anne's Lace. Wildflowers are planted in areas that are not mowed, and they bloom in late spring. You can see many beautiful flowers, especially along the East Lawther Trail and near Mockingbird Lane.
Fauna: Animals of White Rock Lake
Dozens of bird species live at White Rock Lake. The lake's environment is perfect for both small and large water birds, such as herons, egrets, geese, ducks, and pelicans. You can also spot woodland birds like owls, hawks, and eagles. Sometimes, you might even see wild parakeets feeding near the trees along the trail.
The wildlife at White Rock Lake is thriving. You can see small animals like squirrels and beavers. Larger animals that live here include white-tailed deer, raccoons, red foxes, bobcats, wild boars, river otters, minks, opossums, skunks, and coyotes. Many of these land animals can be seen near the Old Fish Hatchery.
The lake itself is full of fish, including catfish, sunfish, crappie, carp, gar, and bass. You can often find largemouth bass around structures like reed beds and at the mouths of creeks.
Folklore and Legends
A famous Dallas urban legend is the story of the Lady of White Rock Lake. People say the ghost of a young woman, who looks about twenty and wears a wet 1930s evening dress, appears at night along East Lawther Drive. Witnesses claim she asks for a ride to her home on Gaston Avenue in Dallas. Then, she mysteriously disappears from the car during the ride, leaving the car seat wet. The legend says she was a drowning victim from a boating accident in the 1930s. Stories about these ghostly encounters were published in Dallas newspapers in the 1960s.
This legend is said to have inspired the bluegrass song Bringing Mary Home, which became popular in 1965. Many other artists have recorded this song, and it's now a well-known bluegrass tune. The legend also inspired a special beer called La Dame du Lac from Lakewood Brewing Company.
Another popular pastime for young adults at the lake was "viewing The Submarine Races." When there were no curfews, the park was a favorite spot for high schoolers looking for a quiet and beautiful place to hang out. Whether in a car or on a blanket, "viewing The Submarine Races" at White Rock Lake is still a popular tradition.
The lake was also shown on a map at the beginning of the TV show Cheaters.
Images for kids
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The northeastern shore of the lake, with marina
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