Bachman Lake dredging wraps up

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) said that the dredging of Bachman Lake has been completed.

Dredging has restored the lake to recreational depths and removed the “sediment islands” and debris in the lake. The lake is now fully open to the public and rowers, kayakers, and other users to enjoy the lake without restrictions, the City of Dallas said.

Dredging activities began in early 2022, to remove silt and debris that have entered the lake from Bachman Creek and the surrounding area.

The contractor, Renda Environmental, used a barge to pump silt to an off-site location, where the slurry was dewatered to load the sediment onto trucks for offsite disposal.

The contractor was able to remove 154,441 cubic yards of sediment and 3,125 tons of debris from the lake, resulting in improved water quality, aquatic habitat and restoration of the lake to recreational levels.

The next phase of improvements will include the rehabilitation of the Bachman dam and spillway to address regulatory flood capacity as well as structural and stability recommendations.

According to the City, these improvements will ensure dam safety and regulatory compliance, minimize flood risk, and allow residents to enjoy the lake for years to come.