Lake News

Construction begins on makeover of Bachman Lake in northwest Dallas

Bachman Lake

Courtesy photo

The latest step in the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway has begun: Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) has begun construction on improvements designed to minimize flood risk, ensure safety, and meet regulatory requirements.

DWU, in partnership with Dallas Park and Recreation, is leading the project at the lake.

Improvements will include adding a new structure to remove water during major storm events; raising the height of the trails so they won't get flooded; widening the trail; and adding seating and lighting.

A temporary detour has been placed in a portion of the park trail to ensure pedestrian safety and maintain accessibility during construction activities. Details are below.

Trail Detours
Bachman Lake trail users are advised of the following trail detours during construction:

Detour signs will guide trail users to follow the temporary trail route from the south side of the main dam along the sidewalk next to Denton Drive. The temporary trail will continue north on Denton Drive, then turn onto Webb Chapel Extension, where the right lane will be closed to vehicles and open for pedestrians up to Bachman Drive.

From Webb Chapel Extension, trail users will follow the temporary trail in front of the Bachman Recreation Center until it connects with the existing trail northeast of the playground at Bachman Lake Trail marker 131 (BLT 131).

Two DART bus stops located on Webb Chapel Extension (between Denton Drive and Bachman Drive) will remain in use and be accessible.

Bachman Lake Dam and Spillway Project
Bachman Dam was originally built in 1901. The dam and spillway help mitigate flooding of nearby properties, infrastructure and businesses. While only minor repairs to the dam have been needed over its lifetime, larger improvements are now required to minimize flood risk and comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations for dam safety. The rehabilitation upgrades will minimize flood risk, ensure dam safety and meet regulatory compliance. The planned trail improvements will enhance park patrons experience.

Rehabilitation activities at Bachman Lake began in early 2022 and focused on dredging the lake to remove sediment and debris accumulated over time. Dredging was completed in April 2023. The contractor removed 154,441 cubic yards of sediment and 3,125 tons of debris from the lake, resulting in improved water quality and aquatic habitat, in addition to the restoration of the lake to recreational levels.

Bachman Lake improvements currently underway will replace and increase the capacity of the existing service spillway and relocate the auxiliary spillway to avoid flooding adjacent properties. Structural improvements to the dam will preserve the integrity of the main embankment and meet TCEQ dam safety requirements.

Some trees must be removed near the main embankment to meet the state’s dam safety regulations. Once construction is complete, large-canopy trees will be planted to supplement the existing landscaping.

During construction, Bachman Lake will be reduced by a few feet to allow construction crews to work safely. The project will also widen the trail across the dam embankment, upgrade the trail’s lighting and adjust the trail in some locations to meet accessibility requirements.

These improvements are expected to be completed in the winter of 2025-2026.

RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away at his Highland Park home on November 27 while in hospice care.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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