White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is on White Rock Creek five miles northeast of downtown Dallas in central Dallas County. The lake is northeast of State Highway 12, east of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and northwest of State Highway 78. White Rock Lake Park surrounds the entire lake. White Rock Lake is owned and operated by the city of Dallas to supply a small part of the city's municipal water needs, and to supply water for condenser cooling at a steam-electric generating plant.

As Dallas began to grow in population during the late 1890s and early 1900s, water started to become a problem. Some people relied on artesian wells to provide their needs; others turned to the Trinity River. But it was clear that these sources were going to be enough in the future. A dam was built on Bachman's Creek in 1903 but the resulting lake was far too small to meet Dallas' growing needs. In 1907, city officials began to acquire land in the White Rock Valley for a future reservoir that would be larger than Bachman's Lake.

In 1913, the first water from the reservoir was pumped into the Dallas mains and the following year, the lake was formally declared to be full. Although it was not built with recreation in mind, Dallasites quickly discovered that the new reservoir and the land surrounding it was an ideal place for outdoor sports. Fishing became legal in 1917. In addition to fishing, Dallasites also enjoyed boating, camping, and hunting at the lake, which was then administered by the Dallas Water Board.

Today, there are six playgrounds, drinking water fountains, six restrooms and more than two hundred picnic tables. Angling opportunities exist for the plentiful large mouth bass, crappie and catfish that are stocked in the lake. The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park, which features a 9.33 mile (15 km) trail for hiking, running and bicycling, the Bath House Cultural Center and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Swimming is not allowed at the lake, but there are several fishing piers and sailing is permitted.

Neighborhoods developed around the lake, including Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Forest Hills, Little Forest Hills, Lake Park Estates, and Casa Linda, have become some of the more desired residential areas in the city.

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